Specimen Unsatisfactory

Pap smear specimens are considered unsatisfactory for interpretation if there are:

• Inadequate numbers of well-visualized squamous cells present

• Inadequate numbers of well-visualized endocervical cells or squamous metaplastic cells (from the transformation zone).

• More than 75% of the cells obscured by blood or inflammation

• Improperly labeled specimens

Usually, these Pap smears are repeated.