A patient's laboratory results indicate a negative finding for cervical cancer following a Papanicolaou (Pap)smear.The health-care provider, however, is concerned that the results may have been compromised by an interfering factor.Which of the following factors could have interfered with the test's results? Select all that apply.
A)Air drying the smear before fixation
B)Specimen collected from the cervix
C)Sexual intercourse 8 hours before specimen collection
D)Collection of other specimens after the collection of the Pap smear
E)Contamination with blood from the patient's menstrual period

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Air drying the smear before fixation can cause cellular distortion, making it difficult to accurately interpret the cells. Sexual intercourse shortly before specimen collection can introduce foreign material or cause inflammation that might obscure or alter cervical cells. Contamination with blood from the patient's menstrual period can also interfere with the visibility and interpretation of cervical cells, potentially leading to inaccurate results.

A Patient's Laboratory Results Indicate a Negative Finding for Cervical