Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is one possible complication of untreated acute epididymitis?

1. Permanent infertility

2. Development of hepatitis

3. Severe dehydration

4. Increased blood pressure

The correct answer is: Permanent infertility

Permanent infertility is a possible complication of untreated acute epididymitis. This condition primarily affects the epididymis, which is the tube that carries sperm from the testicles. If epididymitis is not treated, it can lead to the development of chronic inflammation or scarring in the reproductive tract, potentially damaging the testicles and impairing sperm production or transport. This damage can ultimately result in infertility, and understanding this pathway is crucial for awareness of reproductive health and the importance of prompt treatment. The other complications listed are less relevant to acute epididymitis. Hepatitis, for instance, is primarily a liver infection unrelated to the epididymis. Severe dehydration is not typically associated with this condition, as it mainly presents with localized symptoms rather than systemic ones that would lead to dehydration. Lastly, though increased blood pressure can be a response to many stressors or pain, it is not a direct complication stemming from epididymitis itself. Thus, the potential for permanent infertility stands out as a significant and serious outcome of untreated acute epididymitis.