Young women should have their first Pap smear examination at which age?
21
16
Only after they become sexually active
18
The Correct Answer is A
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Choice C reason: Tying Pap smears to sexual activity is outdated.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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: In a conscious, alert, and oriented patient, the subjective report is the most reliable pain indicator, as pain is a subjective experience. The patient’s description of intensity, location, and quality directly reflects their perception, guided by neurological pain pathways, making this the gold standard.
Choice B reason: Vital signs like elevated heart rate or blood pressure may suggest pain but are nonspecific, as they can result from anxiety, exertion, or other conditions. They are less reliable than the patient’s verbal report, which directly conveys the pain experience.
Choice C reason: X-ray results may identify structural issues but cannot directly assess pain, a subjective sensation processed by the brain’s pain pathways. They are diagnostic, not experiential, making them unreliable for gauging pain in a conscious patient.
Choice D reason: Physical examination findings, like guarding or grimacing, are indirect pain indicators and less reliable than the patient’s subjective report. These signs may be absent or misleading in some patients, making the verbal description more accurate for pain assessment.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: The human spinal column has 33 vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused), and 4 coccygeal (fused). The 5 lumbar vertebrae, located in the lower back, support significant weight and allow flexibility, making this choice correct for the vertebral count.
Choice B reason: The cervical spine consists of 7 vertebrae, not 12, which are designed for mobility and support of the head. The incorrect count of 12 aligns with the thoracic vertebrae, making this choice scientifically inaccurate for the cervical region.
Choice C reason: The sacral region has 5 vertebrae, which fuse into the sacrum in adults, not 7. The sacrum forms part of the pelvis, providing stability. The incorrect count of 7 corresponds to the cervical vertebrae, making this choice incorrect.
Choice D reason: The thoracic spine comprises 12 vertebrae, not 5, which articulate with the ribs to form the thoracic cage. The incorrect count of 5 aligns with the lumbar or sacral vertebrae, rendering this choice inaccurate for the thoracic region.
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