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NCLEX · General

What is the recommended frequency for cervical cancer screening (Pap smear) for average-risk women aged 21-65?

Correct answer

Every 3 years for women 21-65 (Pap alone); OR every 5 years for women 30-65 (Pap + HPV co-testing or hrHPV alone) — per current USPSTF guidelines

  1. A Annually
  2. B Every 3 years for women 21-65 (Pap alone); OR every 5 years for women 30-65 (Pap + HPV co-testing or hrHPV alone) — per current USPSTF guidelines
  3. C Every 10 years
  4. D Only when symptomatic

Why this is the answer

CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING (USPSTF 2018 Guidelines): Ages 21-29: Pap smear every 3 years (no HPV testing recommended in this age group — HPV is common and transient in this group); Ages 30-65: Pap alone every 3 years; OR Pap + high-risk HPV (hrHPV) co-test every 5 years; OR hrHPV alone every 5 years; Ages 65+: Stop screening if adequate prior screening history and not high-risk. STOP SCREENING IF: Total hysterectomy with cervical removal for benign causes. INCREASE FREQUENCY IF: History of CIN2/CIN3 (high-grade cervical lesions); HIV positive; immunocompromised; in-utero DES exposure. Routine annual Pap smears are no longer recommended for most women — the change was based on evidence that longer intervals are sufficient and reduce the harms of false positives leading to unnecessary procedures.
Source: NCLEX-PN, Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

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