When teaching the patient about self-examination of the male genitalia, the nurse would include which instructions in the teaching plan?

Choice A reason: The cerebellum coordinates motor activity and balance, not speech or emotions. Speech is primarily managed by the cerebral cortex (e.g., Broca’s area), and emotions involve the limbic system, making this statement incorrect.

Choice B reason: The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, sleep, hunger, and hormonal functions via its connections to the autonomic nervous system and pituitary gland. This makes it critical for homeostasis, and the statement is accurate, reflecting its physiological roles.

Choice C reason: Motor pathways from the cortex and brainstem do not primarily synapse in the thalamus. The thalamus relays sensory and some motor signals, but motor pathways mainly synapse in the spinal cord or brainstem, making this statement incorrect.

Choice D reason: The basal ganglia modulate voluntary movements but do not directly control them. The primary motor cortex initiates voluntary movements, while the basal ganglia refine them, so this statement is inaccurate due to its oversimplification.

Choice A reason: Guidelines recommend the first Pap smear at age 21, regardless of sexual activity, to screen for cervical cancer. This age balances the risk of detecting clinically significant abnormalities while avoiding unnecessary testing in younger women, whose HPV infections often resolve.

Choice B reason: Age 16 is too early for routine Pap smears, as cervical cancer is rare in adolescents, and HPV infections often clear spontaneously. Screening at this age may lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary procedures, making it an incorrect recommendation.

Choice C reason: Tying Pap smears to sexual activity is outdated. Current guidelines recommend starting at age 21, as earlier screening in sexually active younger women often detects transient HPV infections, leading to overtreatment, making this an incorrect criterion.

Choice D reason: Age 18 is not the recommended starting point for Pap smears, as cervical cancer risk is low in this age group, and screening may lead to unnecessary interventions. Guidelines specify age 21 for routine screening, making this choice incorrect.