What is one of the main uses of cytology in clinical practice?

Cytology is primarily used in clinical practice for the rapid assessment of cellular material, which allows for quick diagnostic results when compared to histopathology. In cytology, samples are taken from tissue, fluids, or aspirates and analyzed for the presence of pathological changes in cells, such as cancerous or inflammatory conditions. This quick turnaround is crucial for timely decision-making in patient management, especially in urgent cases.

The speed of cytological assessments means that physicians can often gain insights into a patient's health or condition almost immediately, facilitating swifter treatment decisions. In contrast, histopathology typically requires more extensive processing, including the fixation and embedding of tissue samples in paraffin, which takes longer to yield results.

Other options, such as analyzing blood chemistry levels, conducting surgical procedures, or gathering family health histories, do not fall under the primary uses of cytology in clinical practice, thus supporting the correctness of the chosen response.