A 47-year-old adult at average colorectal-cancer risk has no symptoms and has never been screened. The client prefers a test that can be completed at home. Complete the prevention statement.
Drop-down Cloze
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Average-risk adults should begin colorectal-cancer screening at age 45. Annual fecal immunochemical testing is one recommended home-based option when the client understands that testing must be repeated at the recommended interval. A positive stool-based screening result requires follow-up colonoscopy; repeating the stool test does not complete the evaluation. The choice of strategy should reflect preferences, availability, preparation, and follow-up capacity.
Correct Answer Begin screening now, offer annual FIT as a home-based option, and arrange diagnostic colonoscopy if the FIT is positive.
Why It Fits Screening from age 45 through 75 provides benefit for average-risk adults, and stool testing is effective only when abnormal results receive colonoscopy follow-up.
Clinical Picture The client is asymptomatic and average risk, so this is screening rather than evaluation of a symptom.
Memory Link Start, repeat, complete: start at 45, repeat the chosen stool test on schedule, complete a positive result with colonoscopy.
NCLEX Rule A positive screening test is not resolved by repeating the same screening test.
Why the Alternatives Fail Waiting for symptoms defeats screening. FIT is not a one-time lifetime test. A positive result needs direct colon evaluation rather than routine follow-up years later.
Source
1USPSTF Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendation
22026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan
The nurse supports shared selection among recommended screening strategies. The client has no personal or family history in the scenario that would place the client in a higher-risk pathway.
Average Risk — A screening category without symptoms or known high-risk personal, genetic, or family-history features.
Fecal Immunochemical Test — A stool test that detects human blood and is used at recommended intervals for colorectal-cancer screening.
Screening Colonoscopy — Direct visualization of the colon used as a primary screening option or to evaluate an abnormal noninvasive test.