Ambulatory Care Nurse Certification Practice Exam

In dealing with cancer screening recommendations for the geriatric population, it's essential to focus on the specific types of cancer that are most prevalent and relevant to older adults. Screening for prostate, skin, and colon cancers is strongly recommended for this age group due to the increased risk associated with aging. Prostate cancer screening is advised typically for men over a specific age or with risk factors, colon cancer screening is crucial due to the high incidence in older adults, and skin cancer screening is recommended because older individuals often have more sun exposure over their lifetimes, leading to a higher likelihood of skin abnormalities.

Cervical cancer screening, on the other hand, is not routinely recommended in older women who have a history of adequate negative prior screenings and are over a certain age, typically 65. This reflects a decrease in risk for cervical cancer with age within this context, particularly for women who have had regular screenings and are not at increased risk factors. Therefore, cervical cancer screening is more relevant for younger populations, and it aligns with the guidelines to suggest it is not a standard practice in the geriatric population. This context clarifies why cervical cancer is the exception in screening recommendations for this age group.