Deck 18: Breasts and Axillae

Question 1

A female client is hospitalized with injury and tissue destruction of the left pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscles due to a motor vehicle accident. The nurse would include which information during the discharge teaching?

A) Prosthetic devices.
B) Support bras.
C) Plastic surgery.
D) Physical therapy.

Answer 1

Support bras.

Question 2

The nurse is teaching a client with benign breast disease about symptom relief. Which topic would the nurse include in this session?

A) Avoiding all fat in the diet.
B) Wearing a firm bra.
C) Limiting salt intake.
D) Drinking tea instead of coffee.

Answer 2

Limiting salt intake.

Question 3

The nurse is asking a client questions regarding lifestyle patterns. Which statement by the client would alert the nurse to possible risk for breast cancer?

A) "I work in a chemical factory."
B) "I drink two glasses of wine each night."
C) "I have smoked two packs of cigarettes daily for four years."
D) "I occasionally have unprotected sexual contact with unknown partners."

Answer 3

"I drink two glasses of wine each night."

Question 4

The nurse is conducting a breast health workshop for a group of women. Which would the nurse include in this workshop when outlining risk factors for breast cancer?

A) Caucasian race.
B) Positive family history.
C) Low socioeconomic status.
D) Hormone replacement therapy.
E) Female age 35 to 40.

Question 5

During the breast examination on a client, the nurse palpates a small, subclavicular node on the right side of the client's chest. Which is the priority nursing action at this time?

A) Call the primary care provider.
B) Ask the client if they have a family history of breast cancer.
C) Continue with the exam.
D) Schedule a mammogram for the next available appointment.

Question 6

The nurse is compiling statistics for a breast cancer awareness presentation for a group of women. Which facts about breast cancer are appropriate for the nurse to include in the presentation?

A) Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in females.
B) Rates are on the decline.
C) Associated mortality has declined.
D) Diagnostics have improved.
E) 25% of females in Western countries are genetically predisposed.

Question 7

The nurse is performing a breast examination and is palpating into the tail of Spence. Why is it appropriate to palpate this area of the breast during an examination?

A) It does not contain any lymph nodes.
B) It can show the difference between fibrocystic disease and fibroadenomas.
C) Breast cancer occurs more frequently in this area.
D) Peau d'orange may occur in this area of the breast.

Question 8

The nurse is using inspection to assess the breasts of a female client. Which finding might the nurse obtain using this assessment technique?

A) Symmetry.
B) Hard nodules.
C) Tenderness.
D) Skin consistency.

Question 9

The nurse is interviewing a 37-year-old client for breast cancer risks. Which statement by the client indicates an appropriate understanding of the risks associated with breast cancer?

A) "I know my risk for breast cancer increases with age."
B) "A mammogram every three years is my goal."
C) "I will see my healthcare provider every two years for a breast examination."
D) "My family history is negative so I do not need to worry."

Question 10

The nurse is teaching an older adult client about breast self-examination (BSE). Which should the nurse provide during this instruction?

A) Additional lighting.
B) Increased time.
C) Opportunity for questions.
D) Large-print handouts.
E) A quiz at the end of the instruction.

Question 11

The nurse is teaching a group of high school males about self-breast examination. Which comment by a participant in the teaching session indicates appropriate understanding?

A) "I need to be concerned only if I have pain in my chest."
B) "I know that I need to do monthly self-breast exams."
C) "I'll be able to know about problems if I see changes in my chest."
D) "Breast cancer is not something I have to worry about."

Question 12

The nurse is assessing a client and confirms the presence of galactorrhea. Which conclusion by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) It suggests an endocrine disorder.
B) It may indicate a malignancy.
C) It suggests a breast infection.
D) It is usually indicative of lactation.

Question 13

The nurse is performing an assessment on a newborn and notes a thin, milky discharge from the infant's nipple. Which conclusion by the nurse based on this data is the most appropriate?

A) The newborn has a congenital anomaly.
B) This is a highly irregular finding.
C) This is a reason to call in a specialist.
D) This is a common finding in a newborn.

Question 14

The nurse is preparing a poster on self-breast examination and is labeling the anatomical structures of the breast. Which location will the nurse use to identify the tail of Spence?

A) A.
B) B.
C) C.
D) D.

Question 15

The nurse is educating a prenatal class about lactation when one of the clients asks how milk is produced. When responding to the client, which structure will the nurse include as being responsible for milk production?

A) Montgomery's glands.
B) Areola.
C) Acini cells.
D) Mammary ridge.

Question 16

The nurse is planning to perform a breast examination of a female client. When preparing the client for the examination, the nurse will inform the client to expect which techniques?

A) Inspection.
B) Palpation.
C) Percussion.
D) Auscultation.
E) Client interview.

Question 17

The nurse is examining a client with a history of benign breast disease. Which findings does the nurse anticipate when assessing this client's breasts?

A) Straw-colored discharge from the nipples.
B) Freely movable masses.
C) Hard, fixed nodules.
D) Thickened breast tissue.
E) Masses with well-defined boundaries.

Question 18

A pregnant client expresses concern about performing breast self-examination during pregnancy since her breasts are tender. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "All you need to do is just concentrate on having a healthy baby for now."
B) "You can wait until your breasts are no longer tender, and then resume your self-exams."
C) "It's very important for you to be familiar with the changes in your breasts."
D) "Breast cancer during pregnancy is rare, so don't worry about it."

Question 19

The nurse is teaching self-breast examination to a client and demonstrates inspecting the breasts with arms over the head. The client asks the nurse why this is necessary. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "It allows any masses to bulge forward to be seen."
B) "This is the only position to detect Paget's disease."
C) "This is the best position to look for skin dimpling."
D) "It is the only way to look for nipple retraction."

Question 20

A menopausal woman comes to the clinic with complaints of thin, watery nipple discharge with blood present. Based on this data, which disorder does the nurse suspect?

A) Mammary duct ectasia.
B) Fibrocystic disease.
C) Breast malignancy.
D) Intraductal papillomas.

Question 21

The nurse is evaluating the risk for metastasis after a client is diagnosed with breast cancer. Which lymph node involvement would indicate the greatest likelihood of metastasis for this client?

A) A.
B) B.
C) C.
D) D.

Question 22

The nurse is conducting a focused interview for an adult female client who is experiencing breast discomfort. The client states that the discomfort has increased over the last 6 months. Upon assessment, the nurse notes that the client has round, mobile masses with smooth borders in all quadrants bilaterally. The client's last mammogram was conducted 6 months ago and the findings support the current assessment findings. Based on this data, which statement by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "You will need to have a biopsy as your symptoms indicate cancer."
B) "You will need to wear a bra that offers you more support."
C) "You will need to increase your salt intake."
D) "You should not worry about these findings."

Question 23

During a health assessment, a male client voices concern that he is at risk for breast cancer. The nurse is aware that further evaluation of the client's history should focus on predisposing factors that increase the chance for breast cancer in males. The interview should include questions related to which factors?

A) Previous history of taking testosterone.
B) The client's mother having a history of breast cancer.
C) History of cirrhosis of the liver.
D) History of kidney disease.
E) History of radiation treatment for lung cancer.

Question 24

The nurse is performing a breast assessment of an Asian adult female. Which action should the nurse complete first?

A) Ask the client if she has ever had any breast disease such as cancer of the breast, fibrocystic disease, or fibroadenoma.
B) Ask the client to disrobe from the waist up and place a gown on with the opening to the front.
C) Ask the client if she has noticed any changes in her breasts such as lumps, thickening, or discharge from the nipples.
D) Ask the client how she feels about her breasts.

Question 25

The nurse working in a predominately-Hispanic community outlines a breast health screening. Which should the nurse be aware of in order to provide the most culturally competent care to this population?

A) Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic women.
B) This cultural group is strict about performing monthly self-breast exams.
C) Hispanic women have a higher incidence of breast cancer after age 40.
D) Hispanic women have an open attitude about private issues.

Question 26

During a focused assessment, the female client reports breast tenderness, swelling, and lymph node enlargement around the time of her period. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "This sounds like a condition known as nodularity. It is a benign disorder so you will need to monitor your breasts monthly."
B) "Fluctuating hormone levels around the time of your period frequently causes these symptoms. I will note this in your chart and notify your primary care provider."
C) "As long as you have not detected any lumps you have nothing to worry about."
D) "Do you have a history of fibrocystic breast disease? These symptoms are usually seen with this disease."

Question 27

The mother of a late school-age female client voices concern to the nurse regarding her daughter's breast development and breast tenderness. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate to the client's mother?

A) "I understand your concern. Your daughter is very young for breasts to be developing. Children this age are not equipped to deal with these changes."
B) "I will let her primary care provider know that an exam is necessary due to your daughter's symptoms."
C) "I wouldn't worry about it unless the tenderness continues or worsens."
D) "Breast enlargement and tenderness is common for children of this age, but I will inform her primary care provider of your concerns."

Question 28

The nurse is preparing an educational session regarding the causes for male gynecomastia. Which items will the nurse include in the session?

A) Breast cancer.
B) Infants following birth.
C) The onset of puberty.
D) Hormone therapy.
E) Breast infection.

Question 29

A female client asks the nurse when the best time is to perform self-breast examination (SBE). Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "If you are still menstruating the best time is about 5 days after your period begins each month."
B) "If you are postmenopausal the best time is at the beginning of each month."
C) "It doesn't really matter as long as you keep a record of when you perform the exam."
D) "Your primary care provider can tell you when the best time is for you."

Question 30

While the nurse is counseling a client about fibrocystic breast disease, the client asks if having this disorder will lead to cancer. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "There is no direct link between this disease and breast cancer."
B) "You will need to ask the primary healthcare provider that question."
C) "This disease is a form of cancer."
D) "Why are you so worried about this?"

Question 31

The nurse is teaching a childbirth education class. When educating the participants about breast changes during pregnancy, which substance leaking from the breast is anticipated during pregnancy?

A) Blood.
B) Milk.
C) Serum.
D) Colostrum.