Young women should have their first Pap smear examination at which age?

Choice A reason: Intelligence cannot be assessed in a 3-month-old, as cognitive abilities are not yet developed enough for evaluation. Sucking and grasping are innate behaviors driven by reflexes, not conscious thought, making this an incorrect assessment focus.

Choice B reason: Cerebral cortex function is immature in a 3-month-old, and sucking and grasping are primarily brainstem-mediated reflexes. These actions do not directly assess higher cortical functions like memory or reasoning, making this an incorrect choice.

Choice C reason: Sucking and grasping in a 3-month-old are primitive reflexes (sucking reflex and palmar grasp reflex), mediated by the brainstem. Assessing these evaluates normal neurological development, making this the correct focus of the nurse’s inquiry.

Choice D reason: While sucking involves Cranial Nerves V, VII, IX, and XII, and grasping involves spinal reflexes, the nurse is assessing the presence of these reflexes, not the cranial nerves directly. Reflex assessment is the primary focus, making this less precise.

Choice A reason: Simultaneously palpating both carotid arteries is dangerous, risking reduced cerebral blood flow, especially in cardiovascular patients. Using the bell to listen for bruits is safer, so this is incorrect.

Choice B reason: Deep breaths are for lung auscultation, not carotid, where patients hold breath to reduce noise. The bell detects low-pitched bruits, so instructing deep breaths is incorrect for carotid assessment.

Choice C reason: Compressing the carotid artery risks reducing blood flow or dislodging plaques, which is unsafe. Listening with the bell for bruits is the standard method, so this is incorrect.

Choice D reason: Listening with the bell of the stethoscope detects low-frequency bruits, indicating carotid artery narrowing, which is critical in cardiovascular disease. This is the correct technique for safe assessment.