A new mother calls the clinic to report that part of her left breast is red, swollen, tender, very hot, and hard. She has a fever of 38.3$\degree$ C. She also has had symptoms of influenza, such as chills, sweating, and feeling tired. The nurse notices that she has been breastfeeding for 1 month. From her description, what condition does the nurse suspect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms describe mastitis, which stems from an infection or stasis caused by a plugged duct. A plugged duct does not have infection present. Paget disease starts with a small crust on the nipple apex and then spreads to the areola. A plugged milk duct often presents as a tender lump that may be reddened and warm to touch but no infection is present. Mammary duct ectasia is caused by stagnation of cellular debris and secretions in the ducts, leading to obstruction, inflammation and infection. Itching, burning, or drawing pain occurs around the nipple with a sticky, purulent discharge that may be cream, green, or bloody. The symptoms this patient has described mastitis, which stems from an infection or stasis caused by a plugged duct. A plugged duct does not have infection present but a plugged duct with infection is mastitis.

A New Mother Calls the Clinic to Report That Part °\degree°

A New Mother Calls the Clinic to Report That Part $\degree$