A nurse is counseling an adolescent and her mother about preventing cervical cancer. The most important health promotion action the nurse could suggest is to
A) abstain from alcohol.
B) avoid sexual intercourse.
C) do not start smoking.
D) get the HPV vaccine.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infection with HPV (human papillomavirus) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The vaccine that is now available is best given before a woman becomes sexually active (see Chapter 41). Option b is not the best answer because the girl will probably become sexually active at some point in her life and because STDs do not need sexual intercourse to be spread. Smoking is a risk factor for cervical cancer, although the link is not as strong as the link with HPV. Alcohol is not a risk factor.

A Nurse Is Counseling an Adolescent and Her Mother About