Nokea
A 62-year-old woman diagnosed with breast cancer is scheduled for a partial mastectomy. The oncology nurse explained that the surgeon will want to take tissue samples to ensure the disease has not spread to adjacent axillary lymph nodes. The patient has asked if she will have her lymph nodes dissected, like her mother did several years ago. What alternative to lymph node dissection will this patient most likely undergo?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) is the modern go-to less invasive than old-school dissection (lymphadenectomy), it maps the first lymph node cancer hits, sparing arm swelling (lymphedema) if clean. Needle or open biopsies are less targeted, more for diagnosis than staging here. SLNB's standard for breast cancer now, checking spread without ripping out nodes like her mom's era. Nurses in oncology highlight this shift less trauma, same intel easing her fears with precision care.