Nokea
The nurse leading an educational session is describing self-examination of the breast. The nurse tells the womens group to raise their arms and inspect their breasts in a mirror. A member of the patients group asks the nurse why raising her arms is necessary. What is the nurses best response?
- A. It helps to spread out the fat that makes up your breast.
- B. It allows you to simultaneously assess for pain.
- C. It will help to observe for dimpling more closely.
- D. This is what the American Cancer Society recommends.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Raising the arms during breast self-examination accentuates any skin changes, such as dimpling or retraction, by tightening the skin and underlying tissues, making these signs more visible. This is the primary reason for this maneuver. Spreading adipose tissue or assessing pain are not the goals, and citing the American Cancer Society does not directly answer the question.
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The nurse is caring for a patient who has just had a radical mastectomy and axillary node dissection. When providing patient education regarding rehabilitation, what should the nurse recommend?
- A. Avoid exercise of the arm for next 2 months.
- B. Keep cuticles clipped neatly.
- C. Avoid lifting objects heavier than 10 pounds.
- D. Use a sling until healing is complete.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Post-axillary dissection, patients should avoid lifting objects heavier than 5 to 10 pounds to prevent lymphedema or injury. Arm exercises are encouraged, cuticles should not be cut to avoid infection, and slings are unnecessary.
A nurse is explaining that each breast contains 12 to 20 cone-shaped lobes. The nurse should explain that each lobe consists of what elements?
- A. Modified tendons and ligaments
- B. Connective tissue and smooth muscle
- C. Lobules and ducts
- D. Endocrine glands and sebaceous glands
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Each breast lobe consists of lobules (milk-producing glands) and ducts (milk transport), which are the functional units of the breast. Tendons, ligaments, smooth muscle, or endocrine/sebaceous glands are not primary components.
A woman is considering breast reduction mammogram. When weighing the patients health risks, the nurse should confirm that the patient is aware that what factor?
- A. Chronic breast pain
- B. Unclear mammography results
- C. Increased risk of breast cancer
- D. Decreased nipple sensation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Breast reduction mammoplasty may result in decreased nipple sensation due to nerve disruption. It does not increase cancer risk, affect mammography clarity, or cause chronic pain.
A 45-year-old woman comes into the health clinic for her annual check-up. She mentions to the nurse that she has noticed dimpling of the right breast that has occurred in a few months. What assessment would be most appropriate for the nurse to make?
- A. Evaluate the patients milk production.
- B. Palpate the area for a breast mass.
- C. Assess the patients knowledge of breast cancer.
- D. Assure the patient that this is likely an age-related change.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dimpling of the breast is a concerning sign that may indicate an underlying breast mass or malignancy, such as breast cancer, due to possible lymphatic obstruction or tumor fixation. Palpating the area to assess for a mass is the most appropriate action to identify potential pathology and determine the need for referral. Evaluating milk production is irrelevant as there is no indication of lactation. Assessing knowledge is secondary to physical examination, and dimpling is not an age-related change.
The nurse is reviewing the physicians notes from the patient who has just left the clinic. The nurse learns that the physician suspects a malignant breast tumor. On palpation, the mass most likely had what characteristic?
- A. Nontenderness
- B. A size of 5 mm
- C. Softness and a regular shape
- D. Mobility
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Malignant breast tumors are typically nontender, hard, fixed, and irregularly shaped. Small size, softness, or mobility are more characteristic of benign lesions like cysts.