Nokea
A woman is being treated for a tumor of the left breast. If the patient and her physician opt for prophylactic treatment, the nurse should prepare the woman for what intervention?
- A. More aggressive chemotherapy
- B. Left mastectomy
- C. Radiation therapy
- D. Bilateral mastectomy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Prophylactic treatment for breast cancer in a patient with a diagnosed tumor in one breast often involves a bilateral mastectomy to reduce the risk of cancer in the unaffected breast. This is distinct from curative treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or unilateral mastectomy, which target the existing tumor.
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The nurse is caring for a 52-year-old woman whose aunt and mother died of breast cancer. The patient states, My doctor and I talked about Tamoxifen to help prevent breast cancer. Do you think it will work? What would be the nurses best response?
- A. Yes, its known to have a slight protective effect.
- B. Yes, but studies also show an increased risk of osteoporosis.
- C. You wont need to worry about getting cancer as long as you take Tamoxifen.
- D. Tamoxifen is known to be a highly effective protective measure.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator proven to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer in high-risk women, making it a highly effective chemopreventive agent. It does not eliminate risk entirely, and it also helps prevent osteoporosis, not increase it. A slight protective effect understates its efficacy.
A patient has been referred to the breast clinic after her most recent mammogram revealed the presence of a lump. The lump is found to be a small, well-defined nodule in the right breast. The oncology nurse should recognize the likelihood of what treatment?
- A. Lumpectomy and radiation
- B. Partial mastectomy and radiation
- C. Partial mastectomy and chemotherapy
- D. Total mastectomy and chemotherapy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A small, well-defined nodule suggests early-stage breast cancer, for which lumpectomy followed by radiation is a common treatment to preserve the breast while effectively treating the cancer. Mastectomy or chemotherapy may be considered for more advanced or aggressive disease, which is not indicated here.
A 52-year-old woman has just been told she has breast cancer and is scheduled for a modified mastectomy the following week. The nurse caring for this patient knows that she is anxious and fearful about the upcoming procedure and the newly diagnosed malignancy. How can the nurse most likely alleviate this patients fears?
- A. Provide written material on the procedure that has been scheduled for the patient.
- B. Provide the patient with relevant information about expected recovery.
- C. Give the patient current information on breast cancer survival rates.
- D. Offer the patient alternative treatment options.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Providing realistic information about recovery helps reduce anxiety by setting clear expectations. Written materials alone may not suffice, survival rates may not address procedural fears, and offering alternatives is outside the nurse's scope.
A 42 year-old patient tells the nurse that she has found a painless lump in her right breast during her monthly self-examination. She says that she is afraid that she has cancer. Which assessment finding would most strongly suggest that this patients lump is cancerous?
- A. Eversion of the right nipple and mobile mass
- B. A nonmobile mass with irregular edges
- C. A mobile mass that is soft and easily delineated
- D. Nonpalpable right axillary lymph nodes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Breast cancer typically presents as a hard, nonmobile mass with irregular edges, as these characteristics suggest malignancy. A soft, mobile mass is more likely benign, like a cyst. Eversion of the nipple is not typical, and nonpalpable lymph nodes do not rule out cancer.
For which of the following population groups would an annual clinical breast examination be recommended?
- A. Women over age 21
- B. Women over age 25
- C. Women over age 40
- D. All post-pubescent females with a family history of breast cancer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Annual clinical breast examinations are recommended for women aged 40 and older as part of routine breast cancer screening. Younger women may require less frequent exams unless at high risk, such as those with a family history.