Deck 10: Problems of the Breast

Question 1

What important,immediate postoperative care practice should the nurse remember when caring for a woman who has had a mastectomy?

A)The blood pressure (BP)cuff should not be applied to the affected arm.
B)Venipuncture for blood work should be performed on the affected arm.
C)The affected arm should be used for IV therapy.
D)The affected arm should be held down close to the woman's side.

Answer 1

The blood pressure (BP)cuff should not be applied to the affected arm.

Question 2

A form of nipple discharge that is unrelated to malignancy is known as _____________.

Answer 2

Galactorrhea
Galactorrhea manifests itself bilaterally as spontaneous,milky,sticky discharge.This is a normal finding during pregnancy;however,it also may occur as the result of elevated prolactin levels.Prolactin can become elevated as a result of a thyroid disorder,pituitary tumor,stress,coitus,trauma,or chest wall surgery.

Question 3

A nurse providing breast care education should explain to the woman that fibrocystic changes in breasts are:

A)A disease of the milk ducts and glands in the breasts
B)A premalignant disorder characterized by lumps found in the breast tissue
C)Lumpiness with pain and tenderness found in varying degrees in the breast tissue of healthy women during menstrual cycles
D)Lumpiness accompanied by tenderness after menses

Answer 3

Lumpiness with pain and tenderness found in varying degrees in the breast tissue of healthy women during menstrual cycles

Question 4

A nurse who is teaching a group of women about breast cancer tells them that:

A)Risk factors identify more than 50% of women who will develop breast cancer
B)Nearly 90% of lumps found by women are malignant
C)One in 10 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime
D)The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown

Question 5

Which diagnostic test is used to confirm a suspected diagnosis of breast cancer?

A)Mammogram
B)Ultrasound
C)Needle localization biopsy
D)CA 15-3

Question 6

The nurse must watch for what common complications in a client who has undergone a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM)flap?

A)Axillary edema and tissue necrosis
B)Delayed wound healing and muscle contractions
C)Delayed wound healing and axillary edema
D)Delayed wound healing and hematoma

Question 7

A nurse practitioner performs a clinical breast examination on a woman diagnosed with fibroadenoma.The nurse knows that fibroadenoma is characterized by:

A)Inflammation of the milk ducts and glands behind the nipples
B)Thick,sticky discharge from the nipple of the affected breast
C)Lumpiness in both breasts that develops 1 week before menstruation
D)A single lump in one breast that can be expected to shrink as the woman ages

Question 8

Being overweight or obese is linked to a lower risk of breast cancer,especially for postmenopausal women.Is this statement true or false?

Question 9

A healthy 60-year-old African-American woman regularly receives health care at her neighborhood clinic.She is due for a mammogram.At her first visit,her physician,concerned about the 3-week wait at the neighborhood clinic,made an appointment for her to have a mammogram at a teaching hospital across town.She did not keep her appointment and returned to the clinic today to have the nurse check her blood pressure.What is the most appropriate statement for the nurse to make to this client?

A)"Do you have transportation to the teaching hospital so that you can get your mammogram?"
B)"I'm concerned that you missed your appointment;let me make another one for you."
C)"It's very dangerous to skip your mammograms;your breasts need to be checked."
D)"Would you like me to make an appointment for you to have your mammogram here?"

Question 10

A woman has a breast mass that is not well delineated and is nonpalpable,immobile,and nontender.This is most likely:

A)Fibroadenoma
B)Lipoma
C)Intraductal papilloma
D)Mammary duct ectasia

Question 11

The exact cause of breast cancer remains undetermined.Researchers have found a number of common risk factors that increase a woman's chance of developing a malignancy.It is essential for the nurse who provides care to women of any age to be aware of the following risk factors:

A)Family history
B)Late menarche
C)Early menopause
D)Race
E)Nulliparity or first pregnancy after age 30

Question 12

Macromastia,or breast hyperplasia,is a condition in which a woman has very large breasts.The size and weight of the breasts can cause chronic pain as well as a disruption in psychosocial functioning.Breast reduction surgery may be necessary.The nurse can advise her client that this will most likely be covered by her health insurance.Is this statement true or false?

Question 13

A client's oncologist has just finished explaining the diagnostic workup results to her,and she still has questions.The woman states,"The doctor says I have a slow-growing cancer.Very few cells are dividing.How does she know this?" What is the name of the test that gave the physician this information?

A)Tumor ploidy
B)S-phase index
C)Nuclear grade
D)Estrogen receptor assay

Question 14

After a mastectomy,a woman should be instructed to perform the following except:

A)Empty surgical drains twice a day and as needed
B)Avoid lifting more than 4.5 kg (10 lb)or reaching above her head until given permission by her surgeon
C)Wear clothing with snug sleeves to support the tissue of the arm on the operative side
D)Report it immediately if inflammation develops at the incision site or in the affected arm