Question

What would a medical assistant say to a patient prior to a Pap smear test?

"Take all your medications before the examination."
"Ensure you have a full bladder for the examination."
"Refrain from vaginal sex for 24 hours before the test."
"Avoid douching for 7 to 10 days before the examination."

Answer 1

A medical assistant would advise a patient to refrain from vaginal sex and douching before a Pap smear test.

Step-by-step explanation:

A medical assistant would say to a patient prior to a Pap smear test: "Refrain from vaginal sex for 24 hours before the test." This is important because sexual activity can affect the accuracy of the test results. Additionally, the patient should also "avoid douching for 7 to 10 days before the examination." Douching can interfere with the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and potentially affect the results. Lastly, the patient does not need to have a full bladder for the examination, so there's no specific instruction for that.

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