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Inadequate Pap Smear

Definition
1. Pathologist unable to use Pap Smear due to poor quality
Causes
1. Inadequate sampling
2. Air drying
3. Excessive Red Blood Cells or White Blood Cells
Management
1. Repeat Pap Smear if uterus intact
  1. Repeat mid-cycle, over 6 weeks after last Pap Smear
2. Patient avoids factors that decrease Pap Smear quality
  1. No intercourse for 24 hours before Pap Smear
  2. No vaginal preparations for 24 hours before Pap Smear

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This page was written by Scott Moses, MD. This page was last revised before 5/10/08, prior to consistent tracking of revision date. This page was last published on 5/10/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0.