A 25-year-old woman is concerned about contracting HPV. What information by the nurse is most appropriate?

Rationale: A. While many HPV infections do resolve spontaneously, this statement is misleading and incomplete. Some high-risk strains of HPV can persist and lead to cervical, anal, or oropharyngeal cancers, so minimizing the risk could discourage appropriate screening or vaccination. B. This is the most appropriate and informative response. HPV testing is often done in conjunction with Pap smears to detect high-risk HPV strains that may cause precancerous or cancerous cervical changes. For women in this age group, combined testing (co-testing) helps ensure early detection and intervention if abnormal results appear. C. The HPV vaccine is recommended for females and males up to age 26, and may even be considered up to age 45 based on individual risk factors. At 25, the client is still eligible and encouraged to be vaccinated if not previously immunized. D. HPV is actually the most common sexually transmitted infection globally. Most sexually active individuals will be exposed at some point, even with only one partner.