Question

A 28-year-old woman attends for a first smear test. She looks anxious. You explain the procedure and offer a chaperone, which she declines, saying she is happy for you (a male FY2) to perform the examination alone. There is no female staff member immediately available, but the test is not urgent. What is the most appropriate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Explain that a chaperone is recommended for intimate examinations and arrange the smear when a trained chaperone is available

Answer

Proceed with the examination immediately without a chaperone because she has declined

Answer

Refuse to perform the smear test under any circumstances because you are male

Answer

Ask a relative to act as a chaperone instead of a staff member

Answer

Ask another patient in the waiting room to sit in as a chaperone

Practice question