ABSTRACTOver the last several years, there has been a steady increase in the number of women experiencing abnormal Papanicolaou test results. Whether the nurse‐midwife is per forming a colposcopic examination or making a referral, she or he needs to have a clear understanding of cervical pathophysiology, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic management. This article provides the nurse‐midwife with a basic review of the cytologic and histologic findings of the cervix, a description of the colposcopy procedure, observations, terminology, and follow‐up treatment, and considerations for adding colposcopy to a nurse‐midwifery p