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NCLEX · Antepartum, Newborn, and Postpartum Care

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

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

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 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
  2. B Only when symptomatic
  3. C Every 10 years
  4. D Annually

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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About this topic: Antepartum, Newborn, and Postpartum Care

Antepartum, newborn and postpartum questions cover prenatal care and warning signs, normal newborn assessment and care, breastfeeding support, and the postpartum changes and complications to watch for. This is one of 11 PN: Health Promotion and Maintenance questions on antepartum, newborn, and postpartum care, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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