A 46-year-old woman comes for a preventive visit. She reports drinking wine socially but has never been asked structured questions about alcohol use.

Question

A 46-year-old woman comes for a preventive visit. She reports drinking wine socially but has never been asked structured questions about alcohol use. She has no liver disease and takes no medications. Which of the following is the most appropriate screening recommendation?

Accepted Answer

Screen with a validated brief alcohol-use questionnaire

Answer

Screen after alcohol-related legal problems are documented

Answer

Use liver biopsy to detect unhealthy use

Answer

Avoid counselling unless transaminases are elevated

Answer

Order serum ethanol concentration as routine screening

Alcohol misuse screening — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

A 46-year-old woman comes for a preventive visit. She reports drinking wine socially but has never been asked structured questions about alcohol use. She has no liver disease and takes no medications. Which of the following is the most appropriate screening recommendation?