Women's informational needs about colposcopy

Questions asked by 36 women during colposcopy, a stressful medical procedure, were examined to determine their specific informational needs about the exam and its results. Of the 226 questions posed, 52 percent were exam related--on the sensations experienced, the nature of the procedure and self-care activities; 34 percent were results related and focused on the meaning of the results, treatment options and treatment procedures; 14 percent of the questions were incidental. The present research documents women's need for information about the medical procedure of colposcopy. The implications for nursing practice are outlined.