What is the one-time screening recommendation for a specific high-risk male population group?

• A. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening with ultrasound for all men aged 65-75.
• B. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening with CT scan for men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked.
• C. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening with ultrasound for men aged 60-70 who have never smoked.
• D. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening with ultrasound for men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is targeted to a high-risk group with a one-time test. The best approach is to offer an ultrasound once to men who are 65 to 75 years old and have ever smoked. This group has a higher risk of AAA, so a one-time ultrasound can detect aneurysms before they rupture, improving outcomes, while avoiding unnecessary testing in lower-risk people.

Ultrasound is preferred because it reliably detects AAA without exposing patients to radiation and at low cost, making it an efficient screening tool. CT scans aren’t used for initial screening due to radiation exposure, higher cost, and greater invasiveness relative to a simple ultrasound.

Therefore, screening all men in that age range is not justified if they have never smoked, and the requested age window for the one-time screen is 65-75 only for those who have ever smoked.