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WHNP-BC study materials
WHNP-BC study resources

WHNP-BC: Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Well-Woman Primary Care

WHNP-BC · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

All guide sections

Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Well-Woman Primary Care

What the exam tests

Well-woman items test interval knowledge and risk stratification: who is screened, how often, and when to stop. Many candidates lose points by applying the wrong organization's guideline or by over-screening average-risk patients.

Core concepts

  • USPSTF grades (A/B offer, C individualize, D discourage) are the usual reference for screening items; ACOG and ACS differ in details.
  • Cervical cancer screening: start at 21. Ages 21-29, cytology every 3 years. Ages 30-65, cytology every 3 years, co-testing every 5 years, or primary HPV testing every 5 years. Stop after 65 only with adequate prior negative screening; continue after hysterectomy only if the cervix remains or there is a dysplasia history.
  • Breast: USPSTF biennial mammography ages 40-74; ACS offers annual screening from 40-54. Clinical breast exam is not a screening tool.
  • Colorectal cancer: 45-75. Osteoporosis: DXA at 65, earlier with risk factors. Lipids: 40-75. Diabetes: adults 35-70 with overweight or obesity.
  • Infections: chlamydia and gonorrhea annually through age 24 if sexually active; HIV once ages 15-65; syphilis in pregnancy; hepatitis C once ages 18-79.
  • Immunization: HPV through 26 (shared decision 27-45), Tdap each pregnancy at 27-36 weeks, influenza in season.
  • Counseling: folic acid 400 mcg, intimate partner violence, depression (PHQ-2 then PHQ-9), tobacco and alcohol, STI prevention.

Traps

  • Annual Pap is outdated; an annual visit does not mean annual cytology.
  • Screening a 19-year-old with cytology (do not start before 21).
  • Forgetting that prior CIN 2 or worse mandates continued surveillance past 65.

Worked example

A 33-year-old with no symptoms had negative screening 3 years ago and wants the least frequent option. She qualifies for primary HPV testing every 5 years, or co-testing every 5 years, which is guideline-concordant.