Gynaecological oncology: ASCUS with HPV triage: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Gynaecological oncology: ASCUS with HPV triage

Sample item

A 35-year-old woman has a Pap smear reported as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. Reflex high-risk HPV testing is positive. What is the next step?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Colposcopy with directed biopsy

In ASCUS, reflex HPV testing triages women. A positive high-risk HPV result means the risk of underlying CIN is significant, so the woman is referred for colposcopy. An HPV-negative result allows a return to routine screening.

Option by option

  • A. Reassurance and routine screening in 5 years

    Routine screening is appropriate only after an HPV-negative result.

  • B. Repeat cytology in 12 months

    Waiting 12 months is for women who are HPV negative or in specific triage pathways, not for HPV-positive women.

  • C. Colposcopy with directed biopsy (correct)

    Correct. High-risk HPV positivity with ASCUS requires colposcopic assessment.

  • D. Hysterectomy

    Hysterectomy is a gross over-treatment for an unconfirmed low-grade abnormality.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is C, Colposcopy with directed biopsy. In ASCUS, reflex HPV testing triages women.

Why is "Reassurance and routine screening in 5 years" not the answer?

Routine screening is appropriate only after an HPV-negative result.

Why is "Repeat cytology in 12 months" not the answer?

Waiting 12 months is for women who are HPV negative or in specific triage pathways, not for HPV-positive women.

Why is "Hysterectomy" not the answer?

Hysterectomy is a gross over-treatment for an unconfirmed low-grade abnormality.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gynaecological oncology: ASCUS with HPV triage in OBG. A positive high-risk HPV result means the risk of underlying CIN is significant, so the woman is referred for colposcopy. An HPV-negative result allows a return to routine screening.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Gynaecological oncology: ASCUS with HPV triage?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.