Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) Practice Exam

Primary amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menstruation by a certain age, specifically when a person reaches 15 years old and has not yet experienced any menstrual cycles. This condition indicates a potential underlying health issue that may need to be examined, such as hormonal imbalances, developmental disorders, or anatomical anomalies.

The other options describe different scenarios related to menstruation. Cycles longer than 40 days pertain to irregular menstrual cycles but do not address the absence of menstruation at the expected age. Irregular periods in adulthood signify secondary amenorrhea, where menstruation has previously started but is now absent for a period of time. The absence of menstruation for 6 months indicates secondary amenorrhea as well, where menstruation had been established and then ceased. Therefore, the correct understanding of primary amenorrhea directly relates to the age and the lack of menstrual onset by that age.