Which statement should be taught to a newly licensed nurse about CA-125 testing?

• A. A CA-125 test is used to monitor a client's progress during treatment of ovarian cancer.
• B. A CA-125 test is used to identify a Bartholin cyst.
• C. A CA-125 test is used to confirm a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
• D. A CA-125 test is used to measure testosterone level.

Answer: (A)

CA-125 is a tumor marker used primarily to track how ovarian cancer responds to treatment and to watch for recurrence over time. A nurse should teach that serial CA-125 measurements help assess treatment effectiveness and signal possible recurrence when looked at alongside imaging and clinical findings. It’s not reliable for diagnosing ovarian cancer from a single test, and it isn’t used to identify a Bartholin cyst or to measure testosterone. CA-125 can be elevated in various benign conditions and other diseases, so decisions are based on trends rather than one value.