Mr. Costigan is a 50-year-old male patient who recently had a screening colonoscopy because it was recommended by his primary care provider as a screening measure. He received a report that noted inflammatory polyps. He is concerned because one of his friends had polyps that turned into cancer. While advising Mr. Costigan, the AGACNP tells him that
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step 1: Family history of colon cancer is a significant risk factor for developing colon cancer.
Step 2: By discussing with his parents, Mr. Costigan can determine if there is a family history of colon cancer.
Step 3: Knowing this information can help assess his own risk and guide appropriate screening and preventive measures.
Step 4: The primary danger for Mr. Costigan lies in potential genetic predisposition rather than the presence of inflammatory polyps.
Step 5: Therefore, discussing with family members about any history of colon cancer is crucial for his overall risk assessment and management.
Summary:
- Choice A is incorrect as the frequency of colonoscopy should be individualized based on the patient's risk factors.
- Choice C is incorrect as all polyps have the potential to become cancerous, especially inflammatory polyps.
- Choice D is incorrect as consulting an oncologist at this stage is premature without first assessing family history.