Hepatitis C: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

The answer is B. A 45-year-old female

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends one-time screening for Hepatitis C (HCV) infection in all asymptomatic adults aged 18 to 79 years. This is a Grade “B” recommendation. The rationale for universal screening is that many individuals with HCV are unaware they are infected because they are asymptomatic and do not have traditional risk factors. Early detection and treatment can prevent long-term complications like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This patient is 45 years old, placing her squarely within the recommended screening age range.

Incorrect Answer Explanations:

• A 16-year-old male: The USPSTF found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against screening in adolescents younger than 18. Therefore, routine screening for a 16-year-old is not currently recommended unless specific risk factors are present.
• An 82-year-old male: This patient is 82 years old, which is outside the recommended 18-to-79-year age range. The potential benefits of screening in adults older than 79 are smaller because they are less likely to develop long-term complications from untreated HCV during their remaining lifespan.
• Screening only “baby boomers” (born 1945-1965) is an outdated guideline. While this cohort has a higher prevalence of HCV, the current recommendation has expanded to include all adults aged 18-79 due to increasing incidence in other age groups.
• Limiting screening to only those with known risk factors (e.g., IV drug use, blood transfusion before 1992) is also an outdated strategy. This approach misses a significant number of infections, which is why the USPSTF moved to a universal, age-based screening recommendation.