Final answer:
After an abnormal Pap smear, a colposcopy and possibly a biopsy are the most appropriate follow-up techniques to evaluate abnormal cervical cells, with an HPV test as a potential additional step.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a woman has an abnormal Pap smear result, the most appropriate technique moving forward for evaluation of the patient is generally to perform additional diagnostic procedures. One of the most common follow-up procedures is a colposcopy, an examination that uses a special microscope called a colposcope to take a closer look at the cervical tissue. If suspicious areas are found during the colposcopy, a biopsy may be done, where a small sample of tissue is taken for further analysis. Other follow-ups, depending on the Pap smear results, may include an HPV test, since Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections can cause abnormal cell changes. It is essential to remember that an abnormal Pap smear does not always mean cancer, but it does require further investigation to determine the cause of the abnormal cells.