A patient visits your cardiology clinic and requests a long overdue PAP smear. You should:

The most appropriate action in this scenario is to refer the patient to a gynecologist for her long overdue PAP smear. This is because the gynecologist specializes in female reproductive health and is trained to perform PAP smears as part of comprehensive gynecological care.

While it is important for the patient to receive needed screenings, having a primary care provider perform the procedure could compromise the standard of care. Gynecologists have the expertise and equipment necessary to conduct these examinations safely and effectively, ensuring that the patient receives appropriate follow-up, interpretation of results, and any further necessary interventions.

Scheduling the patient to come back for the PAP or attempting to conduct the examination yourself may not provide the specialized care necessary for optimal screening, and doing a vaginal exam only does not address the need for a complete PAP smear. Therefore, referring to a gynecologist is the best route to ensure the patient’s health needs are met appropriately.