Question 1

While inspecting a patient's breasts,the nurse finds that the left breast is slightly larger than the right with the presence of Montgomery's glands bilaterally and a fine venous pattern in both breasts.The nurse would:

Accepted Answer

Normal findings of the breast include: one breast (most often the left)slightly larger than the other,the presence of Montgomery's glands across the areola,and a fine venous pattern visible,especially on fair-skinned individuals.

Question 2

A patient states during the interview that she noticed a new lump in the shower a few days ago.It was on her left breast near her axilla.The nurse should plan to:

Accepted Answer

If the woman mentions a breast lump she has discovered herself,examine the unaffected breast first to learn a baseline of normal consistency for this individual.

Question 3

Which of the following statements best describes the correct procedure to screen for nipple and/or skin retraction during a breast examination?

Accepted Answer

Direct the woman to change position while checking the breasts for skin retraction signs.First ask her to lift her arms slowly over her head.Both breasts should move up symmetrically.Retraction signs are due to fibrosis in the breast tissue,usually caused by growing neoplasms.Note a lag in movement of one breast.

Question 4

Which of the following statements reflects the best approach to teaching a woman about breast self-examination (BSE)?

Accepted Answer

Stress that a regular monthly self-examination will familiarize her with her own breasts and their normal variation.This is a positive step that will reassure her of her healthy state.While teaching,focus on the positive aspects of breast self-examination.Avoid citing frightening mortality statistics about breast cancer.This may generate excessive fear and denial that actually obstructs a woman's self-care action.

Question 5

Which of the following women have risk factors that place them at a higher risk for breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Risk factors for breast cancer: first-degree relative with breast cancer (mother,sister,daughter)and age over 50 years.Refer to Table 17- 2 for other risk factors.

Question 6

When a breast-feeding mother is diagnosed with a breast abscess,which of the following instructions from the nurse is correct? The mother needs to:

Accepted Answer

With a breast abscess,the patient must temporarily discontinue nursing on the affected breast,manually express the milk,and discard it.

Question 7

Which of the following positions is most likely to make significant lumps more distinct during breast palpation?

Accepted Answer

Help the woman to a supine position.Tuck a small pad under the side to be palpated and raise her arm over her head.These maneuvers will flatten the breast tissue and displace it medially.Any significant lumps will then feel more distinct.

Question 8

A 55-year-old postmenopausal woman is being seen in the clinic for a yearly examination.She is concerned about changes in her breasts that she has noticed over the past 5 years.She states that her breasts have decreased in size and that the elasticity has changed so that her breasts seem "flat and flabby." The nurse's best reply would be:

Accepted Answer

Ovarian secretion of estrogen and progesterone decreases after menopause.This causes the breast glandular tissue to atrophy.

Question 9

During a discussion about breast self-examination with a 30-year-old woman,which of the following statements by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The best time to conduct breast self-examination is shortly after the menstrual cycle when the breasts are the smallest and least congested.

Question 10

The nurse is assessing the breasts of a 68-year-old woman and discovers a mass in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast.When assessing this mass,the nurse keeps in mind that characteristics of a cancerous mass would be: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Characteristics of cancerous breast masses: Solitary unilateral nontender mass.Solid,hard,dense,and fixed to underlying tissues or skin as cancer becomes invasive.Borders are irregular and poorly delineated.Often painless,although the person may have pain.Most common in upper outer quadrant.Responses 2,3,and 5 reflect characteristics of benign breast disease.

Question 11

Which of the following women reflect abnormal findings during the inspection phase of breast examination?

Accepted Answer

The nipples should be symmetrically placed on the same plane on the two breasts.With deviation in pointing,an underlying cancer causes fibrosis in the mammary ducts,which pulls the nipple angle toward it.

Question 12

During the physical examination,the nurse notes that a female patient.has an inverted left nipple.Which statement regarding this is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Distinguish a recently retracted nipple from one that has been inverted for many years or since puberty.Normal nipple inversion may be unilateral or bilateral and usually can be pulled out (i.e. ,it is not fixed).Recent nipple retraction signifies acquired disease.

Question 13

During an examination,the nurse notes a supernumerary nipple just under the patient's left breast.The patient tells the nurse that she always thought it was a mole.Which statement about this finding is correct?

Accepted Answer

A supernumerary nipple looks like a mole,but close examination reveals a tiny nipple and areola.It is not a significant finding.

Question 14

A 54-year-old man comes to the clinic with a "horrible problem." He tells the nurse that he has just discovered a lump on his breast and is fearful of cancer.The nurse knows that which statement about breast cancer in males is true?

Accepted Answer

Fewer than 1% of all breast cancer occurs in men.Breast masses are noticeable early because of minimal breast tissue.

Question 15

During an examination of a woman,the nurse notices that her left breast is slightly larger than her right breast.Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Note symmetry of size and shape.It is common to have a slight asymmetry in size;often the left breast is slightly larger than the right.A sudden increase in the size of one breast signifies inflammation or new growth.

Question 16

During an interview,a patient reveals that she is pregnant.She states that she is not sure whether she will breast-feed her baby and asks for some information about this.Which of the following statements by the nurse is accurate with regard to breast-feeding?

Accepted Answer

In addition to providing the perfect food and antibodies for the baby,promoting bonding,and providing relaxation,lactation is also associated with a slight reduction in the risk of breast cancer.

Quiz 17: Breasts and Regional Lymphatics