title: Cervical cytology.
abstract: The Pap smear has been used for detection of precancerous and early lesions of the cervix for almost 50 years. This article reviews current risk factors of cervical cancer and cytologic and histologic cervical changes to increase the practitioner's understanding of Pap smear screening. Information also is provided on how to obtain a quality sample as well as nursing implications in obtaining samples.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Beal
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods*