In a community health program, which criterion typically triggers referral to specialty care after a screening test?

• A. Positive or ambiguous result
• B. Negative result only
• C. Random selection
• D. No follow-up

Answer: (A)

In community health screenings, the goal is to flag people who may have a condition so they can get a more thorough evaluation. A referral to specialty care is typically triggered when the screening result is positive or ambiguous, because that increases the likelihood of disease enough to justify further, definitive assessment by a clinician with specialized tests. If the result is negative, the chance of disease at that moment is low, so routine follow-up is usually appropriate unless there are ongoing symptoms or risk factors. Referral based on random selection or no follow-up doesn’t align with how screening aims to guide timely, appropriate care.