Deck 8: Assessing the Breasts

Question 1

The nurse is assessing a patient who is prescribed oral contraceptives. Which hormones are responsible for the growth in breast size that occur when this drug is prescribed to a patient?

A) Testosterone and progesterone
B) Progesterone and estrogen
C) Estrogen and oxytocin
D) Oxytocin and prolactin

Answer 1

Progesterone and estrogen

Question 2

During the 7th month of pregnancy, a woman notices a yellowish discharge from her nipple. Which is the best explanation for this discharge?

A) An infection is present.
B) This is witch's milk, caused by elevated estrogen levels.
C) This is breast milk, and delivery is imminent.
D) Colostrum is secreted in preparation for milk production.

Answer 2

Colostrum is secreted in preparation for milk production.

Question 3

The nurse is assessing a patient who presents with nipple discharge. Which question from the nurse is appropriate?

A) "Have you ever had this problem before?"
B) "How would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?"
C) "Has there been a change in your bra size?"
D) "Have you had any nipple piercings?"

Answer 3

"Have you ever had this problem before?"

Question 4

Which is a normal finding during a breast examination?

A) Asymmetry
B) Dimpling
C) Puckering
D) Erythema

Question 5

A patient on Depo-Provera states that she is not menstruating and, therefore, is unsure of the best time to perform BSE. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) "You should perform your BSE when you think you would be menstruating."
B) "You should perform your BSE on the day you receive your monthly injections.
C) "You should perform your BSE on the 1st day of each month."
D) "You should perform your BSE every Monday."

Question 6

A12-year-old female with breast buds is identified as which Tanner stage?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Question 7

Which method is best for breast self-exam (BSE)?

A) Vertical strip method
B) Wedge method
C) Concentric circle method
D) All of the above

Question 8

The majority of breast cancers in women are located in which location?

A) Just right or left of the sternal notch
B) In the tail of Spence
C) In the areola
D) At the seventh intercostal space

Question 9

A new mother is concerned that after breastfeeding her baby, her breasts will become saggy. Which explanation best describes the age-related change in breast tissue?

A) Breasts become less fibrous.
B) Muscle mass and tone decrease.
C) Adipose tissue decreases.
D) Glandular tissue increases.

Question 10

In taking a history on a 54-year-old female, which factor may have the most significance related to risk for developing breast cancer?

A) Late menarche
B) Early menopause
C) First pregnancy before the age of 30 years
D) Personal history of endometrial or ovarian cancer

Question 11

Which is the first step when teaching a patient to perform a breast self-examination?

A) Using the pads of the fingers to palpate the breast symmetrically
B) Compressing the nipple looking for discharge
C) Inspecting the breasts in the mirror
D) Reporting any redness or inflammation

Question 12

Which is the most likely cause of bloody discharge from the nipple?

A) Breast cancer
B) Interductal papilloma
C) Fibrocystic breast disease
D) Side effect of medication

Question 13

Which is true related to breast exam in a woman with breast implants?

A) Exam should be done with the patient supine only.
B) Only the periphery of breasts should be palpated.
C) Exam should be omitted, and mammography substituted.
D) No changes should be made to exam.

Question 14

Which individual has a greater risk of developing breast cancer?

A) 35-year-old Asian American woman
B) 45-year-old Jewish American woman
C) 60-year-old African American man
D) 75-year-old African American woman

Question 15

A patient states to the nurse, "I have a lump in my left breast that only appears before my periods." Which is the most likely reason for this occurrence?

A) A cyst
B) Mastitis
C) A cancerous tumor
D) Fibrocystic breast disease

Question 16

The nurse is conducting a health history for a patient who seeks care for breast pain. Which question from the nurse is most appropriate?

A) "Where is the lump or mass located?"
B) "Is there discomfort when you palpate your breast?"
C) "When did you notice the lump?"
D) "Have you had a recent injury to your breast?"

Question 17

The majority of breast cancers in men are located in which location?

A) Just right or left of the sternal notch
B) In the tail of Spence
C) In the areola
D) At the seventh intercostal space

Question 18

Which finding in the patient's health history increases the risk for developing breast cancer?

A) Late menarche
B) Early menopause
C) Endometrial cancer
D) Breastfeeding

Question 19

A new mother is concerned because she notices a white, milky discharge from her newborn's nipples. Which explanation by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) "This is an abnormal finding, and the drainage will be cultured."
B) "This is an abnormal finding and may be indicative of diabetes."
C) "This is a normal finding and will disappear in a few days."
D) "This is a normal finding and will disappear when the mother stops breastfeeding."

Question 20

Which abnormal finding is most significant in relation to possible breast cancer?

A) Dimpling of breast
B) Asymmetry of breasts
C) Enlarged Montgomery glands
D) Inverted nipples

Question 21

Which patient population is most likely to have fibrous breast ducts?

A) Adolescence
B) Early adulthood
C) Postmenopause
D) Perimenopause
Completion
Complete each statement.

Question 22

A patient comes to the clinic with a small lump on the left breast. When the nurse inspects the patient's breast, which position is most likely to reveal hidden breast dimpling?

A) Sitting with her hands on her hips
B) Lying supine with her arms at her sides
C) Standing with her arms at her sides
D) Leaning forward with her hands outstretched

Question 23

When assessing a patient's nipples, which type of discharge suggests a serious disorder?

A) White discharge
B) Manually expressed discharge
C) Waxy discharge
D) Spontaneous discharge

Question 24

Which inspection finding would be considered abnormal?

A) Bilateral nipple inversion
B) Nipples that point outward, slightly upward, and lateral
C) Bilateral nipple eversion
D) Unilateral nipple inversion

Question 25

The nurse instructs the patient on breast self-examination (BSE). When should the patient perform BSE?

A) On the 5th to 7th day of the menstrual cycle
B) During the menstrual period
C) Just before the menstrual period
D) In the middle of the cycle

Question 26

The nurse is teaching a patient when to perform a breast self-examination (BSE). The nurse states that the examination should be conducted 5 to 7 days after menstruation begins or 3 to ________________days after menstruation ceases.

Question 27

During a breast examination, the nurses notes a smooth, firm, movable, and nontender mass. The patient is diagnosed with a fibroadenoma, which is usually 1 to ________________cm.

Question 28

While palpating the patient's breast tissue, the nurse detects three lumps. Which characteristic is associated with lumps found in cystic breast disease?

A) Immobile
B) Hard
C) Irregular
D) Tender

Question 29

The nurse assesses a patient's breasts and documents the mature stage of Tanner breast development. This is also referred to as stage ____________________.

Question 30

While palpating a patient's breast, a small lump is revealed. Which characteristic of a lump might suggest malignancy?

A) Tenderness
B) Softness
C) Irregularity
D) Movability

Question 31

Which finding may be considered normal during adolescence?

A) Fuller and firmer breasts
B) Darker areolas
C) Colostrum production
D) Asymmetrical breasts

Question 32

How should the nurse position a patient for palpation of the breast and axillae?

A) Supine with arms at her side
B) Supine with arms over her head
C) Supine with arm over her head and pillow under shoulder of side being examined
D) Supine with arm over her head and a pillow under shoulder opposite side being examined

Question 33

The nurse is conducting a health history for a female patient. A first pregnancy after the age of ________________years increases the risk for breast cancer.

Question 34

Which statement is true about fibroadenomas?

A) Fibroadenomas are usually malignant.
B) Fibroadenomas are usually smooth.
C) Fibroadenomas are usually at least 10 cm in size.
D) Fibroadenomas are usually tender.

Question 35

When conducting a breast self-examination (BSE) the nurse palpates from the clavicle to the 6th and ____________________th intercostal spaces and the sternum to the midaxillary line.

Question 36

An adult patient, reporting for an annual examination, has a history of fibrocystic disease and has large, pendulous breasts. Which position is best for inspecting the patient's breasts?

A) Lying supine with arms over her head
B) Sitting, arms on hip
C) Leaning forward with arms outstretched
D) Lying supine with arms at side

Question 37

Where should the nurse palpate to assess the lateral nodes?

A) Anterior axillary fold
B) Posterior axillary fold
C) Supraclavicular area
D) Inner aspect of upper arm