In a scenario where an adolescent female reports low-grade fever and abdominal pain, what is the nurse’s priority action?

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In this scenario, the priority action for the nurse is to assess for additional signs of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is appropriate because the combination of low-grade fever and abdominal pain in an adolescent female raises concerns about various reproductive health issues, including PID, which is a serious condition typically resulting from untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

PID can present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, and unusual discharge, and it can lead to significant complications, including infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Therefore, conducting a thorough assessment to identify associated symptoms, such as increased tenderness in the lower abdomen, cervical motion tenderness, or abnormal vaginal discharge, is critical for timely diagnosis and intervention.

While other options address important aspects of sexual health and STI awareness, they do not prioritize the immediate need to evaluate a potentially serious condition like PID. Early identification and treatment of PID can prevent more severe health consequences, making it the nurse's priority in this situation.

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