Discussion question
Title: Preventative Screening
Cite the sources in the paper work and provide at least 4 references no older than 5 years for the citations in APA format.
21 year-old healthy female, presents to her nurse practitioner for her yearly check-up. She is sexually active with her boyfriend and uses condoms most of the time. She has never had a pelvic exam before.
Discuss the recommended screening tests, using the latest evidence based guidelines that the nurse practitioner should perform on Janice.
Discuss the recommended education and counseling that should be included in Janice’s care?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this scenario, a 21 year-old female patient is presenting to a nurse practitioner for her yearly check-up. As a medical professor, it is important to discuss the recommended screening tests and education that should be included in Janice’s care, using the latest evidence based guidelines.
Answer:
According to the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), sexually active women under the age of 25 are recommended to get screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea annually. Additionally, pap smear should start at the age of 21 and continue every 3 years until the age of 29, then every 5 years until the age of 65. HPV testing can be performed every 5 years starting at the age of 30, along with pap smear. As Janice has never had a pelvic exam before, it is important to perform a pelvic exam as well.
The recommended education and counseling that should be included in Janice’s care is to provide her with information about safe sex practices, including consistent use of condoms to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is also important to discuss the importance of regular screenings for STIs and cervical cancer, and to address any questions or concerns Janice may have about her sexual health. Furthermore, it is important to empower her to take control of her health and encourage her to practice healthy behaviors such as smoking cessation, healthy eating, and physical activity.
References:
1. US Preventive Services Task Force. (2018). Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Screening. Retrieved from https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/chlamydia-and-gonorrhea-screening
2. US Preventive Services Task Force. (2018). Cervical Cancer: Screening. Retrieved from https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/cervical-cancer-screening
3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). Recommendations for cervical cancer screening. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/03/recommendations-for-cervical-cancer-screening
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Sexually Transmitted Infections Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm