American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ABFM Practice Questions and Study Guide

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What vaginal pH is indicative of bacterial vaginosis?

4.0 or less

4.5 or greater

A vaginal pH of 4.5 or greater is indicative of bacterial vaginosis (BV). In a healthy vaginal environment, the normal pH range is typically around 4.0 or less, maintained by the presence of normal flora, particularly lactobacilli, which produce lactic acid. When there is an overgrowth of certain bacteria associated with BV, this balance is disrupted, leading to an increase in vaginal pH. Therefore, a pH level of 4.5 or above suggests a shift away from this normal acidic environment, which is commonly seen in BV. This shift is important in the diagnosis and management of the condition, as measuring vaginal pH is a simple and effective method to aid in identifying BV. Understanding this concept is crucial, particularly in clinical settings where diagnosing vaginal infections is a common task.

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5.0 or more

5.5 or less

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