A primary care physician is managing a full schedule of adult patients presenting for routine health evaluations. Assign the single most appropriate, guideline-based preventive screening intervention to each patient based on their distinct demographic and risk profile.
- Male patient, age 65, who accumulated a 35-pack-year smoking history before quitting at age 50.One-time abdominal ultrasonography
- Female patient, age 55, currently smoking one and a half packs of cigarettes daily for the past 20 years.Annual low-dose chest computed tomography
- Female patient, age 24, who is sexually active and has no active symptoms.Cervical cytology every 3 years
- Female patient, age 65, attending a standard evaluation with no prior bone density testing.Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
Answer
The 65-year-old male former smoker requires a one-time abdominal ultrasound. The 55-year-old female current smoker requires annual low-dose chest computed tomography. The 24-year-old female requires cervical cytology every 3 years. The 65-year-old female with no prior fracture assessment requires a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan.
Each patient profile unequivocally meets the demographic and clinical criteria for a distinct, high-priority screening modality. The 65-year-old male with a smoking history requires an ultrasound for AAA. The 55-year-old with a 30 pack-year current smoking history requires a low-dose CT for lung cancer. The 24-year-old requires a Pap smear for cervical cancer. The 65-year-old woman requires a DXA scan for osteoporosis.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Age- and risk-appropriate preventive screening guidelines (USPSTF Grade A and B recommendations) for adults in the primary care setting.