A male adolescent comes to the clinic reporting severe testicular pain that started during a high school football practice. The nurse notes significant redness and swelling of the scrotum. What should the nurse do next?

Choice A rationale Providing a urinal for urinary hesitancy may be helpful in some cases, but it does not address the immediate concern of severe testicular pain, redness, and swelling. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition such as testicular torsion, which requires immediate medical attention. Choice B rationale Severe testicular pain accompanied by redness and swelling of the scrotum could indicate a serious condition such as testicular torsion. Testicular torsion is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to restore blood flow and prevent loss of the testicle. Therefore, the nurse should immediately report these findings to the healthcare provider. Choice C rationale While collecting a sterile urine sample for culture and sensitivity could be useful in diagnosing a urinary tract infection, it does not address the immediate concern of severe testicular pain. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition such as testicular torsion, which requires immediate medical attention. Choice D rationale Obtaining a swab of secretions from the penis and urethra could be useful in diagnosing a sexually transmitted infection, but it does not address the immediate concern of severe testicular pain. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition such as testicular torsion, which requires immediate medical attention.