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    Pap Smear

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    allyssa
    The Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) is a widely used screening test for early detection of cervical cancer. The document provides detailed information about the Pap smear procedure, including patient preparation, implementation, nursing interventions, interpretation of results, interfering factors, precautions, and potential complications.

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    Pap Smear

    Uploaded by

    allyssa
    115 views3 pages
    The Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) is a widely used screening test for early detection of cervical cancer. The document provides detailed information about the Pap smear procedure, including patient preparation, implementation, nursing interventions, interpretation of results, interfering factors, precautions, and potential complications.

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    The Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) is a widely used screening test for early detection of cervical cancer. The document provides detailed information about the Pap smear procedure, including patient preparation, implementation, nursing interventions, interpretation of results, interfering factors, precautions, and potential complications.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    115 views3 pages

    Pap Smear

    Uploaded by

    allyssa
    The Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) is a widely used screening test for early detection of cervical cancer. The document provides detailed information about the Pap smear procedure, including patient preparation, implementation, nursing interventions, interpretation of results, interfering factors, precautions, and potential complications.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    Papanicolaou Test (Pap Smear)

    The Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) is a widely known cystologic


    test for early detection of cervical cancer. The can also be used to
    detect cancerous cells of the breast, lung, stomach, and renal
    system. A physician or specifically trained nurse scrapes secretions
    from the patients cervic and spreads them on a slide, which is sent
    to the laboratory for cystologic
    analysis.
    An alternative method is to use the
    ThinPrep preservative solution
    rather than a slide. The ThinPrep
    was introduced in 1996 and allows
    testing for malignancy cells from
    the cervix and shows the cell
    maturity, metabolic activity, and
    morphology variations.
    The American Cancer Society recommends a Pap test every 3 years
    for women between ages 20 and 40 who arent in a high-risk
    category and who have had negative results from three previous Pap
    tests. Yearly tests (or tests at physician-recommended intervals) are
    advised for women older than age 40, for those in a high risk
    category, and for those who had a positive test previously. If a Pap
    test is positive or suggest malignancy, cervical biopsy can confirm
    the diagnosis.
    Purpose of Pap Smear

    To detect malignant cells.

    To detect inflammatory changes in tissue.

    To assess response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.


    To detect viral, fungal, and occasionally, parasitic invasions.
    Pap Smear Procedure
    Patient Preparation
    1. Instruct the patient to avoid intercourse for 24 hours, douching
    for 48 hours, and vaginal creams or medication for 1 week.
    2. Just before the test, instruct the patient to empty her bladder.
    3. During the procedure, she might experience a slight discomfort
    but no pain from the speculum; however, she may feel some
    pain when the cervix is scraped.
    4. Explain the procedure takes only 5 to 10 minutes to perform.
    5. Instruct the patient to disrobe from the waist down and to
    drape herself.
    6. Ask her to lie on the examining table and to place her heels in
    the stirrups.
    7. Tell her to slide her buttocks to the edge of the table.
    Implementation
    1. The patient is assisted into the lithotomy position with her feet
    in the stirrups.
    2. An unlubricated speculum is inserted into the vagina.
    3. The cervix is located.
    4. Secretions from the cervix and material from the endocervical
    canal are collected with an endocervical brush and wooden
    spatula.
    5. Specimens are spread on slides and immediately immersed in
    fixative or sprayed with a fixative.
    6. Specimens are appropriately labeled with date of last menses,
    collection site, and method.
    7. If vaginal or vulval lesions are present, scrapings taken directly
    from the lesion are preferred.
    8. The slides are preserved immediately.
    Nursing Interventions
    1. Help the patient up and ask her to dress when the examination
    is completed.

    2.

    Supply the patient with a sanitary napkin if cervical bleeding


    occurs.
    3. Tell the patient when to return for her next Pap test.
    Interpretation
    Normal Results

    No malignant cells or abnormalities are present.


    Abnormal Results

    Cells with relatively large nuclei, only small amounts of


    cytoplasm, abnormal nuclear chromatin patterns, and marked
    variation in size, shape, and staining properties, with prominent
    nucleoli, suggest malignancy.

    Atypical but nonmalignant cells suggest a benign abnormality.

    Atypical cells may suggest dysplasia.


    Interfering Factors

    Douching within 24 hours of testing.

    Excessive use of lubricating jelly on the slide.

    Collection of specimen during menstruation

    Delay in fixing the specimens

    Consistency of specimen too thin or too thick.


    Precautions

    Preserve the slides immediately after the specimen is


    collected.

    Preserve the ThinPrep solution by immediately placing the lid


    back on the container, as exposure to air or light can cause
    distortion of cells.
    Complications

    Bleeding

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