Measurement issues in cholesterol screening: an overview for nurses

The detection of elevated cholesterol levels in more than 60% of adults in the United States has prompted widespread mass cholesterol screening to identify this modifiable risk factor for coronary disease. As nurses begin to assume more responsibility for these screenings, additional training in this area may be warranted. National screening guidelines are reviewed in reference to measurement issues, including potential sources of variation in cholesterol measurement, precision and accuracy testing, and the importance of rigorous quality control measures and staff training programs, all of which ensure the standardization of cholesterol measurements. The role of nurses in cholesterol screening is presented.