Which exam involves visual inspection of the external female genitalia for appearance and lesions such as herpes?

• A. External exam (Male)
• B. Wet prep
• C. External exam (Female)
• D. Speculum exam

Answer: (C)

Visual inspection of the external female genitalia for appearance and lesions is what the external female exam assesses. This exam is specifically aimed at observing the skin and mucous membranes around the genital area to detect visible abnormalities, such as herpes lesions, ulcers, discharge, redness, or swelling. It’s a quick, non-invasive check of the external surfaces, distinct from procedures that look inside or analyze samples. A speculum exam, for example, examines the vagina and cervix, not the external skin; a wet prep involves microscopic analysis of vaginal secretions rather than surface inspection; an external exam for males targets male anatomy.