The patient lies down on an exam table like she would for a pelvic exam. The doctor or nurse puts a speculum into her vagina and opens it. They wash the patient's cervix with a vinegar-like solution which makes it easier to see abnormal cells. Next, they look at the patient's cervix through a colposcope. The colposcope doesn’t touch the patient or goes inside the patient. If the doctor or nurse sees something that doesn’t look normal, they perform a biopsy.