Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a Medicare-approved preventive measure?

1. Cardiovascular screening every 5 years

2. Colonoscopy every year

3. Cervical cancer every 5 years

4. Densitometry every year

The correct answer is: Cardiovascular screening every 5 years

The choice regarding cardiovascular screening every 5 years as a Medicare-approved preventive measure is correct. Medicare recognizes this screening for individuals at high risk for cardiovascular diseases. This preventive measure helps identify potential issues before they develop into more serious conditions, allowing for early intervention and management, which is vital for improving health outcomes in the elderly population. In contrast, while colonoscopy is an important screening tool for colon cancer, it is typically covered by Medicare every 10 years for average-risk patients, rather than annually. Cervical cancer screenings are generally recommended every 3 years for women aged 21 to 29, or every 5 years for women aged 30 to 65 if they have had a combination of Pap and HPV testing, but again, not necessarily every 5 years for everyone. Densitometry, related to bone density testing, is also covered under specific circumstances rather than on an annual basis for all patients. Therefore, cardiovascular screening every 5 years aligns with Medicare’s preventive service guidelines effectively.