NCLEX-Style Questions for Chapter 20: Primary Care of Lesbian, Gay, and
Bisexual Individuals
1. Which of the following should the nurse prioritize when providing care to a lesbian, gay,
or bisexual individual?
A. Assuring privacy and confidentiality B. Offering counseling for mental health C. Encouraging
family involvement in care decisions D. Discussing reproductive health
Answer: A. Assuring privacy and confidentiality
Rationale: Privacy and confidentiality are crucial when working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual
individuals to ensure trust and comfort in the healthcare environment. Ensuring that these
patients feel safe and respected is a priority.
2. Which of the following is most important for a nurse to assess when caring for a bisexual
patient?
A. Sexual preference history B. Health risk factors related to sexual activity C. Family history of
cancer D. Physical fitness level
Answer: B. Health risk factors related to sexual activity
Rationale: Understanding health risks related to sexual activity (such as risk for sexually
transmitted infections) is vital in providing appropriate care for bisexual patients. While sexual
preference is important, the primary focus should be on health risks.
3. A nurse is providing counseling to a lesbian patient who is hesitant to discuss her
sexuality with her healthcare provider. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Encourage the patient to come out to all health professionals immediately B. Respect the
patient's decision to discuss her sexuality at her own pace C. Explain to the patient the risks of
not disclosing her sexuality D. Inform the patient that she must share her sexuality for proper
care
Answer: B. Respect the patient's decision to discuss her sexuality at her own pace
Rationale: It is important to respect the patient's autonomy and allow them to decide when they
feel comfortable discussing their sexuality. Pressuring them can be detrimental to the therapeutic
relationship.
,4. Which action is a nurse's best response when a lesbian patient expresses concerns about
discrimination from healthcare providers?
A. Tell the patient that discrimination is uncommon in healthcare B. Offer to transfer the patient
to a different healthcare provider C. Encourage the patient to report any instances of
discrimination D. Ignore the concerns, as they may be exaggerated
Answer: C. Encourage the patient to report any instances of discrimination
Rationale: Nurses should encourage patients to report discrimination so that appropriate actions
can be taken to address the issue. Addressing discrimination ensures equitable and respectful
care.
5. A bisexual woman has come for a routine health checkup. The nurse should assess for
which of the following when evaluating her health needs?
A. Only gynecological issues B. Emotional well-being and potential stressors related to her
sexual identity C. Risks related to same-sex partnerships only D. Family planning concerns
solely for future heterosexual relationships
Answer: B. Emotional well-being and potential stressors related to her sexual identity
Rationale: Assessing emotional well-being and stressors related to sexual identity is important
as these individuals may experience unique stressors, such as societal stigma, discrimination, or
mental health concerns.
6. A lesbian patient asks the nurse about options for sexual health screenings. Which
statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You should only be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you have symptoms."
B. "You should get tested for STIs regularly, regardless of sexual orientation." C. "Lesbians do
not need STI screenings as frequently as heterosexual individuals." D. "You should avoid STI
screenings unless you are in a relationship with a man."
Answer: B. "You should get tested for STIs regularly, regardless of sexual orientation."
Rationale: All individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, should be routinely tested for STIs if
they are sexually active. Sexual orientation does not affect the need for STI screening.
7. Which of the following would be a priority when planning care for a transgender
individual in a healthcare setting?
, A. Avoid using any gender-specific pronouns B. Respect the individual’s preferred gender
identity and pronouns C. Only address medical concerns related to hormone therapy D.
Discourage discussions of gender identity
Answer: B. Respect the individual’s preferred gender identity and pronouns
Rationale: It is essential to respect the individual’s gender identity and use their preferred
pronouns. This helps create a supportive and inclusive environment that is essential for effective
care.
8. Which of the following should be included in the health assessment of a gay male
patient?
A. Screening for prostate cancer only if the patient has had prior sexual contact with women B.
Screening for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, based on sexual activity C.
Assessment of family history related to breast cancer D. Counseling for a planned future
heterosexual relationship
Answer: B. Screening for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, based on sexual
activity
Rationale: Sexual activity and behavior, not sexual orientation, determine the need for STI and
HIV screening. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at higher risk for HIV and other STIs.
9. Which action by the nurse demonstrates cultural competency when caring for a bisexual
patient?
A. Asking the patient if they prefer to be treated as heterosexual or homosexual B. Using neutral
language and avoiding assumptions about the patient’s relationships C. Inquiring about the
patient’s religious views on sexuality D. Telling the patient that they will need to provide proof
of sexual orientation for care
Answer: B. Using neutral language and avoiding assumptions about the patient’s
relationships
Rationale: Cultural competency involves avoiding assumptions about the patient’s sexual
identity and relationships. Using inclusive and neutral language promotes respect and trust.
10. Which of the following would be an appropriate action for a nurse to take when a
lesbian patient expresses concerns about the lack of inclusive services at her healthcare
facility?
Bisexual Individuals
1. Which of the following should the nurse prioritize when providing care to a lesbian, gay,
or bisexual individual?
A. Assuring privacy and confidentiality B. Offering counseling for mental health C. Encouraging
family involvement in care decisions D. Discussing reproductive health
Answer: A. Assuring privacy and confidentiality
Rationale: Privacy and confidentiality are crucial when working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual
individuals to ensure trust and comfort in the healthcare environment. Ensuring that these
patients feel safe and respected is a priority.
2. Which of the following is most important for a nurse to assess when caring for a bisexual
patient?
A. Sexual preference history B. Health risk factors related to sexual activity C. Family history of
cancer D. Physical fitness level
Answer: B. Health risk factors related to sexual activity
Rationale: Understanding health risks related to sexual activity (such as risk for sexually
transmitted infections) is vital in providing appropriate care for bisexual patients. While sexual
preference is important, the primary focus should be on health risks.
3. A nurse is providing counseling to a lesbian patient who is hesitant to discuss her
sexuality with her healthcare provider. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Encourage the patient to come out to all health professionals immediately B. Respect the
patient's decision to discuss her sexuality at her own pace C. Explain to the patient the risks of
not disclosing her sexuality D. Inform the patient that she must share her sexuality for proper
care
Answer: B. Respect the patient's decision to discuss her sexuality at her own pace
Rationale: It is important to respect the patient's autonomy and allow them to decide when they
feel comfortable discussing their sexuality. Pressuring them can be detrimental to the therapeutic
relationship.
,4. Which action is a nurse's best response when a lesbian patient expresses concerns about
discrimination from healthcare providers?
A. Tell the patient that discrimination is uncommon in healthcare B. Offer to transfer the patient
to a different healthcare provider C. Encourage the patient to report any instances of
discrimination D. Ignore the concerns, as they may be exaggerated
Answer: C. Encourage the patient to report any instances of discrimination
Rationale: Nurses should encourage patients to report discrimination so that appropriate actions
can be taken to address the issue. Addressing discrimination ensures equitable and respectful
care.
5. A bisexual woman has come for a routine health checkup. The nurse should assess for
which of the following when evaluating her health needs?
A. Only gynecological issues B. Emotional well-being and potential stressors related to her
sexual identity C. Risks related to same-sex partnerships only D. Family planning concerns
solely for future heterosexual relationships
Answer: B. Emotional well-being and potential stressors related to her sexual identity
Rationale: Assessing emotional well-being and stressors related to sexual identity is important
as these individuals may experience unique stressors, such as societal stigma, discrimination, or
mental health concerns.
6. A lesbian patient asks the nurse about options for sexual health screenings. Which
statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You should only be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you have symptoms."
B. "You should get tested for STIs regularly, regardless of sexual orientation." C. "Lesbians do
not need STI screenings as frequently as heterosexual individuals." D. "You should avoid STI
screenings unless you are in a relationship with a man."
Answer: B. "You should get tested for STIs regularly, regardless of sexual orientation."
Rationale: All individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, should be routinely tested for STIs if
they are sexually active. Sexual orientation does not affect the need for STI screening.
7. Which of the following would be a priority when planning care for a transgender
individual in a healthcare setting?
, A. Avoid using any gender-specific pronouns B. Respect the individual’s preferred gender
identity and pronouns C. Only address medical concerns related to hormone therapy D.
Discourage discussions of gender identity
Answer: B. Respect the individual’s preferred gender identity and pronouns
Rationale: It is essential to respect the individual’s gender identity and use their preferred
pronouns. This helps create a supportive and inclusive environment that is essential for effective
care.
8. Which of the following should be included in the health assessment of a gay male
patient?
A. Screening for prostate cancer only if the patient has had prior sexual contact with women B.
Screening for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, based on sexual activity C.
Assessment of family history related to breast cancer D. Counseling for a planned future
heterosexual relationship
Answer: B. Screening for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, based on sexual
activity
Rationale: Sexual activity and behavior, not sexual orientation, determine the need for STI and
HIV screening. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at higher risk for HIV and other STIs.
9. Which action by the nurse demonstrates cultural competency when caring for a bisexual
patient?
A. Asking the patient if they prefer to be treated as heterosexual or homosexual B. Using neutral
language and avoiding assumptions about the patient’s relationships C. Inquiring about the
patient’s religious views on sexuality D. Telling the patient that they will need to provide proof
of sexual orientation for care
Answer: B. Using neutral language and avoiding assumptions about the patient’s
relationships
Rationale: Cultural competency involves avoiding assumptions about the patient’s sexual
identity and relationships. Using inclusive and neutral language promotes respect and trust.
10. Which of the following would be an appropriate action for a nurse to take when a
lesbian patient expresses concerns about the lack of inclusive services at her healthcare
facility?
