Final answer:
After an ASCUS PAP smear result, the next step is typically a colposcopy to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva for disease, although in some cases a repeat PAP smear may be considered based on risk factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient's PAP smear results come back showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), the recommended next step would be C) Colposcopy. This procedure involves a detailed examination of the cervix, vagina, and vulva for signs of disease that a regular exam might not detect. Depending on specific risk factors, such as the presence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types, repeat PAP smears may also be considered. A PAP smear is a medical test described as taking a sample of cells from a patient's uterine cervix and examining them under a microscope to detect abnormal cell growth or signs of infection. Immediate surgery or a dental examination is not the appropriate follow-up for an ASCUS result.