One hundred women received notification that their screening tests sug

One hundred women received notification that their screening tests suggested that they might have a serious health problem. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure that they will complete follow-up testing?

a. Compliment them on their willingness to be tested and suggest an immediate appointment before they have too much time to think about the issue.
b. Imply that the test could be wrong; the testing materials may not be effective, but the only way to be sure is to be tested further.
c. Point out that screening is only suggestive and that not all positive screenings mean they actually have the health problem.
d. Reassurance is not therapeutic; reality must be faced. Emphasize the need for immediate treatment.

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: C
Not all positive screening results are confirmed with further diagnostic testing. The positive predictive value of a test (proportion of true positive results relative to all positive test results) is usually known for any screening test. Although one could argue that the test could be wrong, it is more therapeutic—because you want people to attend future screenings—to emphasize that screening is only suggestive than to say the screening test is inaccurate.