Fostering Patient-Centered Trauma-Informed Care: Insights From a First-time Pelvic Examination

In this case, a 25-year-old woman presents for an annual wellness visit and her first pelvic examination for cervical cancer screening. During the visit she appears increasingly uncomfortable and anxious. Her body language suggests hesitancy about the pelvic examination. This case highlights the importance of collecting a comprehensive health history and for nurse practitioners (NPs) to recognize even subtle changes in a patient’s demeanor. NPs need to be prepared to provide patient-centered trauma-informed care using shared decision-making to effectively manage such situations while being sensitive to the needs of individual patients.