Question

If a patient has ASCUS on PAP, but the HPV reflex lab is negative, what do you do next?

- A) Immediate surgery
- B) Repeat PAP smear
- C) Colposcopy
- D) Dental examination

Answer 1

A patient with ASCUS on a Pap smear but a negative HPV test should have a repeat Pap smear rather than immediate surgery, colposcopy, or a dental examination.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient has ASCUS (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance) on a Pap smear, but the HPV reflex test is negative, the recommended next step would not be immediate surgery, colposcopy, or a dental examination. In this situation, Option B, repeating the Pap smear, is often the advisable next step, typically within a recommended time frame, such as in one year, to monitor any changes in the cervical cells. The necessity for a colposcopy would be considered if the repeat Pap smear shows further abnormalities, or if the patient has a history that suggests a higher risk of cervical cancer.