skip to main content

Colorectal cancer screening — USMLE Step 2 CK MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModeratePreventive Medicine & BiostatisticsColorectal cancer screeningUSMLE Step 2 CK

A 54-year-old White man comes to the clinic because of a preventive health visit. History and focused examination are notable for average-risk 52-year-old adult with no prior screening and no alarm symptoms. Temperature is 98.6°F (37.0°C), blood pressure is 126/78 mmHg, pulse is 84/min, respirations are 16/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Physical examination confirms the key finding and shows no unrelated abnormality that would better explain the presentation. The patient has no symptoms, no abnormal physical examination findings, and no previous result that would change routine evidence-based screening. Which of the following is the most appropriate screening test?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Colonoscopy every 10 years or annual fecal immunochemical testing

The vignette describes Colorectal cancer screening, supported by average-risk 52-year-old adult with no prior screening and no alarm symptoms. Colonoscopy every 10 years or annual fecal immunochemical testing is the single best answer because it matches the diagnostic or management priority in this clinical setting. The other choices are plausible alternatives in related presentations, but they do not best fit the timing, findings, and guideline-directed approach described here.

Reference: USPSTF 2021 Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendation