Nokea
The pathology report for a patient who has had a modified radical mastectomy identifies the tumour as an estrogen-receptor positive adenocarcinoma. Which of the following medications should the nurse include when teaching the patient?
- A. Estradiol
- B. Raloxifene
- C. Tamoxifen
- D. Trastuzumab
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tamoxifen is used for estrogen-dependent breast tumours in premenopausal women. Raloxifene is used to prevent breast cancer, but it is not used postmastectomy to treat breast cancer. Estradiol will increase the growth of estrogen-dependent tumours. Trastuzumab is used to treat tumours that have the HER-2 receptor.
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A patient who has a diagnosis of fibrocystic breast changes calls the nurse in the clinic with these symptoms. Which of the following findings is most important to report to the health care provider?
- A. There is yellow-green discharge from one of the patient's nipples.
- B. There is an area on the breast that is hot, red, and tender to touch.
- C. The lumps are firm feeling and most are in the upper outer breast quadrants.
- D. The lumps are larger and more painful before the patient's menstrual period.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An area that is hot or red suggests an infectious process such as mastitis, which would require further assessment and treatment. The other information will also be reported, but these findings are typical in fibrocystic breasts.
A patient has a saline breast implant inserted in outpatient surgery. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
- A. Take Aspirin every 4 hours to reduce inflammation.
- B. Check wound drains for excessive blood or any foul odour.
- C. Wear a loose-fitting bra to decrease irritation of the sutures.
- D. Resume normal activities 2 to 3 days after the mammoplasty.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient should be taught drain care because the drains will be in place for 2 or 3 days after surgery. Normal activities can be resumed after 2 to 3 weeks. A bra that provides good support is typically ordered. Aspirin will decrease coagulation and is typically not given after surgery.
The nurse is caring for a patient with left arm lymphedema. Which of the following actions should be included in the plan of care?
- A. Check BP on both right and left arms.
- B. Avoid isometric exercise on the left arm.
- C. Assist with application of compression dressings.
- D. Keep the left arm at or below the level of the heart.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Compression of the arm assists in improving lymphatic flow toward the heart. Isometric exercises may be prescribed for lymphedema. BPs should only be done on the patient's right arm. The arm should not be placed in a dependent position.
To determine the risk for breast cancer in a patient who has found a small lump in the left breast, which of the following questions is most pertinent for the nurse to ask?
- A. Do you currently smoke cigarettes?
- B. Have you ever had any breast injuries?
- C. At what age did you start having menstrual periods?
- D. Is there any family history of fibroccystic breast changes?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Early menarche and late menopause are risk factors for breast cancer because of the prolonged exposure to estrogen that occurs. Cigarette smoking, breast trauma, and fibroccystic breast changes are not associated with increased breast cancer risk.
The nurse is caring for a patient with breast cancer who is receiving chemotherapy and tamoxifen. Which of the following findings is most important to communicate to the health care provider?
- A. The patient has symptoms of numbness and tingling in the right arm and leg.
- B. The patient has complaints of fatigue.
- C. The patient eats only $5$ of food on meal tray.
- D. The patient's white blood cell (WBC) count is $5 \times 10^9/L$.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: One-sided tingling and numbness may indicate a stroke and should be reported to the health care provider. Tamoxifen increases the risk of blood clots, cataracts, stroke, and endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women. Anorexia, fatigue, and a low-normal WBC count are expected effects of chemotherapy.