A 40-year-old patient says, "I am afraid to have a mammogram. I have heard that they hurt and I am afraid to have radiation to my breasts." What information should the nurse provide? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should provide the following information:
B) "The amount of radiation used in mammograms is very low." This information addresses the patient's fear of radiation exposure.
C) "Mammograms can detect breast masses up to 2 years before they can be felt from the outside." This information emphasizes the importance of mammograms in detecting breast cancer early and can help alleviate the patient's fear.
E) "Mammograms can help us see small deposits of calcium that sometimes occur with cancerous lesions." This information highlights another benefit of mammograms in detecting breast cancer, and can also help alleviate the patient's fear by showing how much can be detected before it becomes a bigger issue.

A, D are incorrect choices. A is incorrect because mammograms are recommended every 1 to 2 years for women age 50 and older, not necessarily for women over age 40. D is incorrect because the pain experienced during mammography is subjective and not necessarily "well worth" the benefits for every patient.

A 40-Year-Old Patient Says, "I Am Afraid to Have a Mammogram