A nurse is collecting data for a female client who has genital herpes. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

Brief Introduction: Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused primarily by the herpes simplex virus type 2, though type 1 is increasingly common. The virus establishes lifelong latency within the sacral nerve ganglia, periodically reactivating to cause outbreaks characterized by viral shedding and painful integumentary disruptions. Rationale: A. Vaginal bleeding is not a typical hallmark of a herpes outbreak and more commonly suggests cervical polyps, uterine fibroids, or malignancy. Severe ulcerative lesions may occasionally bleed if traumatized, but frank vaginal hemorrhage is not a diagnostic expectation for a viral herpetic infection. B. Although a client may experience dysuria or painful urination due to urine contacting open sores, urinary hesitancy and frequency are classic signs of a urinary tract infection or cystitis. Herpes-related urinary issues are usually due to autonomic dysfunction or localized inflammation rather than primary bladder irritation. C. The presence of fluid-filled vesicles and lesions on the labia majora or minora is the definitive clinical finding during an active outbreak. These vesicles eventually rupture to form painful ulcers that crust over and heal, often accompanied by inguinal lymphadenopathy and systemic flu-like symptoms. D. Vaginal drainage accompanied by a fishy odor is the cardinal sign of bacterial vaginosis, caused by an overgrowth of Gardnerella vaginalis. Genital herpes lesions may produce a thin, serous discharge as the vesicles rupture, but they do not typically produce the malodorous discharge associated with bacterial or protozoal infections.