The Gynecologic Examination and Prenatal Care
Ch.8 Exam Study Test Questions Graded A+ to
Pass
What is the purpose of the gynecologic examination? - Answer It is to assess the health of the female
reproductive organs, to detect early signs of disease, leading to early diagnosis and treatment
What is the purpose of performing a breast examination? - Answer It is not just to find lumps, but also to
notice when there are changes in your breasts
How often should a women perform a breast self-examination at home? - Answer Once every month a
women should do a BSE at home.
When should a BSE be performed in relation to the menstrual cycle and why? - Answer For regular
periods, approximately 2 to 3 days after your menstrual period has ended. At this time your breasts are
least likely to be tender and swollen and it will be easier to perform the examination.
What are the components of the pelvic examination? - Answer Inspection of the external genitalia,
vaginal and cervix. Collection of a specimen for a pap test. Bimanual pelvic examination. Rectal-vaginal
examination.
What position is generally used for the pelvic examination? - Answer lithotomy postion
How can the medical assistant help the patient to relax during the pelvic examination? - Answer by
telling her to breathe deeply, slowly and evenly through the mouth. It is recommended the MA remain
in the room during the pelvic examination to provide legal protection for the physician to reassure the
patient and to assist the physician.
What is the function of a vaginal speculum? - Answer It is to hold the walls of the vagina apart to allow
visual inspection of the vagina and cervix.
Describe how you would lubricate the vaginal speculum when the physician performs a pap test using
the direct-smear method? - Answer You should use water only
, Describe how you would lubricate the vaginal speculum when the physician performs a pap test using
the liquid-based method? - Answer thinly lubricate the blades of the speculum with a water-based
lubricant (never apply lubricant to the tip of the speculum)
What is the purpose of performing a visual examination of the vagina and the cervix? - Answer Inspected
for swelling, ulceration and redness. Also which type of speculum to use
what is the purpose for performing a Pap test? - Answer For early detection of cervical cancer, detect
abnormal cells of the cervix that might develop cancer, can detect cancer of the endometrium
Describe the schedule for having a Pap test as recommended by the American Cancer Society? - Answer
The ACS recommends that a women have her first pap test beginning with in 3 years of having vaginal
intercourse or at 21 years of age whichever is earlier
Why should a specimen for a Pap test not be taken from a woman during her menstrual period? -
Answer Because the red blood cells obscure the specimen and interfere with an accurate evaluation
Why should the MA instruct the patient not to douche or insert vaginal medications for 2 days before
coming to the medical office to have a Pap test? - Answer It can reduce the number of cells available for
analysis (douching) vaginal medication and spermicides change the pH of the vagina making the
specimen non representative or invalid
What are the three types of specimens that may be obtained for a Pap test? - Answer Vaginal, cervical
and endocervical
Where is the vaginal specimen collected? - Answer It is collected from the vagina pool in the posterior
fornix of the vagina.
Where is the cervical specimen collected? - Answer It is collected from just inside the cervical canal and
the external os, over the surface of the ectocervix
Where is the endocervical specimen collected? - Answer It is collected from the endocervix
Ch.8 Exam Study Test Questions Graded A+ to
Pass
What is the purpose of the gynecologic examination? - Answer It is to assess the health of the female
reproductive organs, to detect early signs of disease, leading to early diagnosis and treatment
What is the purpose of performing a breast examination? - Answer It is not just to find lumps, but also to
notice when there are changes in your breasts
How often should a women perform a breast self-examination at home? - Answer Once every month a
women should do a BSE at home.
When should a BSE be performed in relation to the menstrual cycle and why? - Answer For regular
periods, approximately 2 to 3 days after your menstrual period has ended. At this time your breasts are
least likely to be tender and swollen and it will be easier to perform the examination.
What are the components of the pelvic examination? - Answer Inspection of the external genitalia,
vaginal and cervix. Collection of a specimen for a pap test. Bimanual pelvic examination. Rectal-vaginal
examination.
What position is generally used for the pelvic examination? - Answer lithotomy postion
How can the medical assistant help the patient to relax during the pelvic examination? - Answer by
telling her to breathe deeply, slowly and evenly through the mouth. It is recommended the MA remain
in the room during the pelvic examination to provide legal protection for the physician to reassure the
patient and to assist the physician.
What is the function of a vaginal speculum? - Answer It is to hold the walls of the vagina apart to allow
visual inspection of the vagina and cervix.
Describe how you would lubricate the vaginal speculum when the physician performs a pap test using
the direct-smear method? - Answer You should use water only
, Describe how you would lubricate the vaginal speculum when the physician performs a pap test using
the liquid-based method? - Answer thinly lubricate the blades of the speculum with a water-based
lubricant (never apply lubricant to the tip of the speculum)
What is the purpose of performing a visual examination of the vagina and the cervix? - Answer Inspected
for swelling, ulceration and redness. Also which type of speculum to use
what is the purpose for performing a Pap test? - Answer For early detection of cervical cancer, detect
abnormal cells of the cervix that might develop cancer, can detect cancer of the endometrium
Describe the schedule for having a Pap test as recommended by the American Cancer Society? - Answer
The ACS recommends that a women have her first pap test beginning with in 3 years of having vaginal
intercourse or at 21 years of age whichever is earlier
Why should a specimen for a Pap test not be taken from a woman during her menstrual period? -
Answer Because the red blood cells obscure the specimen and interfere with an accurate evaluation
Why should the MA instruct the patient not to douche or insert vaginal medications for 2 days before
coming to the medical office to have a Pap test? - Answer It can reduce the number of cells available for
analysis (douching) vaginal medication and spermicides change the pH of the vagina making the
specimen non representative or invalid
What are the three types of specimens that may be obtained for a Pap test? - Answer Vaginal, cervical
and endocervical
Where is the vaginal specimen collected? - Answer It is collected from the vagina pool in the posterior
fornix of the vagina.
Where is the cervical specimen collected? - Answer It is collected from just inside the cervical canal and
the external os, over the surface of the ectocervix
Where is the endocervical specimen collected? - Answer It is collected from the endocervix
