Question 1

The nurse is palpating a female patient's breasts during an examination.Which of these positions is most likely to make significant lumps more distinct during breast palpation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Supine with the arms raised over her head
B)  Sitting with the arms relaxed at her sides
C)  Supine with the arms relaxed at her sides
D)  Sitting with the arms flexed and fingertips touching her shoulders A

Question 2

A patient is newly diagnosed with benign breast disease.The nurse recognizes which statement about benign breast disease to be true? The presence of benign breast disease:

Accepted Answer

A)  Makes it hard to examine the breasts.
B)  Frequently turns into cancer in a woman's later years.
C)  Is easily reduced with hormone replacement therapy.
D)  Is usually diagnosed before a woman reaches childbearing age. A

Question 3

While examining a 75-year-old woman,the nurse notices that the skin over her right breast is thickened and the hair follicles are exaggerated.This condition is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  Dimpling.
B)  Retraction.
C)  Peau d'orange.
D)  Benign breast disease. C

Question 4

During an interview,a patient reveals that she is pregnant.She states that she is not sure whether she will breastfeed her baby and asks for some information about this.Which of these statements by the nurse is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Breastfed babies tend to be more colicky."
B)  "Breastfeeding provides the perfect food and antibodies for your baby."
C)  "Breastfed babies eat more often than infants on formula."
D)  "Breastfeeding is second nature, and every woman can do it."

Question 5

The nurse is preparing to teach a woman about BSE.Which statement by the nurse is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  "BSE is more important than ever for you because you have never had any children."
B)  "BSE is so important because one out of nine women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime."
C)  "BSE on a monthly basis will help you become familiar with your own breasts and feel their normal variations."
D)  "BSE will save your life because you are likely to find a cancerous lump between mammograms."

Question 6

During an examination of a 7-year-old girl,the nurse notices that the girl is showing breast budding.What should the nurse do next?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ask the young girl if her periods have started.
B)  Assess the girl's weight and body mass index (BMI) .
C)  Ask the girl's mother at what age she started to develop breasts.
D)  Nothing; breast budding is a normal finding.

Question 7

During a physical examination,a 45-year-old woman states that she has had a crusty,itchy rash on her breast for approximately 2 weeks.In trying to find the cause of the rash,which question would be important for the nurse to ask?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Is the rash raised and red?"
B)  "Does it appear to be cyclic?"
C)  "Where did the rash first appear-on the nipple, the areola, or the surrounding skin?"
D)  "What was she doing when she first noticed the rash, and do her actions make it worse?"

Question 8

The nurse is conducting a class on BSE.Which of these statements indicates the proper BSE technique?

Accepted Answer

A)  The best time to perform BSE is in the middle of the menstrual cycle.
B)  The woman needs to perform BSE only bimonthly unless she has fibrocystic breast tissue.
C)  The best time to perform a BSE is 4 to 7 days after the first day of the menstrual period.
D)  If she suspects that she is pregnant, then the woman should not perform a BSE until her baby is born.

Question 9

During an annual physical examination,a 43-year-old patient states that she does not perform monthly breast self-examinations (BSEs).She tells the nurse that she believes that mammograms "do a much better job than I ever could to find a lump." The nurse should explain to her that:

Accepted Answer

A)  BSEs may detect lumps that appear between mammograms.
B)  BSEs are unnecessary until the age of 50 years.
C)  She is correct-mammography is a good replacement for BSE.
D)  She does not need to perform BSEs as long as a physician checks her breasts annually.

Question 10

The nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about breast milk.Which statement by the nurse is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Your breast milk is immediately present after the delivery of your baby."
B)  "Breast milk is rich in protein and sugars (lactose)  but has very little fat."
C)  "The colostrum, which is present right after birth, does not contain the same nutrients as breast milk."
D)  "You may notice a thick, yellow fluid expressed from your breasts as early as the fourth month of pregnancy."

Question 11

The nurse is discussing BSEs with a postmenopausal woman.The best time for postmenopausal women to perform BSEs is:

Accepted Answer

A)  On the same day every month.
B)  Daily, during the shower or bath.
C)  One week after her menstrual period.
D)  Every year with her annual gynecologic examination.

Question 12

A patient states during the interview that she noticed a new lump in the shower a few days ago.It was on her left breast near her axilla.The nurse should plan to:

Accepted Answer

A)  Palpate the lump first.
B)  Palpate the unaffected breast first.
C)  Avoid palpating the lump because it could be a cyst, which might rupture.
D)  Palpate the breast with the lump first but plan to palpate the axilla last.

Question 13

During the physical examination,the nurse notices that a female patient has an inverted left nipple.Which statement regarding this is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Normal nipple inversion is usually bilateral.
B)  Unilateral inversion of a nipple is always a serious sign.
C)  Whether the inversion is a recent change should be determined.
D)  Nipple inversion is not significant unless accompanied by an underlying palpable mass.

Question 14

During an examination of a woman,the nurse notices that her left breast is slightly larger than her right breast.Which of these statements is true about this finding?

Accepted Answer

A)  Breasts should always be symmetric.
B)  Asymmetry of breast size and shape is probably due to breastfeeding and is nothing to worry about.
C)  Asymmetry is not unusual, but the nurse should verify that this change is not new.
D)  Asymmetry of breast size and shape is very unusual and means she may have an inflammation or growth.

Question 15

A 54-year-old man comes to the clinic with a "horrible problem." He tells the nurse that he has just discovered a lump on his breast and is fearful of cancer.The nurse knows which statement about breast cancer in men is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Breast masses in men are difficult to detect because of minimal breast tissue.
B)  Breast cancer in men rarely spreads to the lymph nodes.
C)  One percent of all breast cancers occurs in men.
D)  Most breast masses in men are diagnosed as gynecomastia.

Question 16

The nurse is examining a 62-year-old man and notes that he has bilateral gynecomastia.The nurse should explore his health history for which related conditions? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  Malnutrition
B)  Hyperthyroidism
C)  Type 2 diabetes mellitus
D)  Liver disease
E)  History of alcohol abuse

Question 17

When a breastfeeding mother is diagnosed with a breast abscess,which of these instructions from the nurse is correct? The mother needs to:

Accepted Answer

A)  Continue to nurse on both sides to encourage milk flow.
B)  Immediately discontinue nursing to allow for healing.
C)  Temporarily discontinue nursing on the affected breast, and manually express milk and discard it.
D)  Temporarily discontinue nursing on affected breast, but manually express milk and give it to the baby.

Question 18

A 65-year-old patient remarks that she just cannot believe that her breasts "sag so much." She states it must be from a lack of exercise.What explanation should the nurse offer her? After menopause:

Accepted Answer

A)  Only women with large breasts experience sagging.
B)  Sagging is usually due to decreased muscle mass within the breast.
C)  A diet that is high in protein will help maintain muscle mass, which keeps the breasts from sagging.
D)  The glandular and fat tissue atrophies, causing breast size and elasticity to diminish, resulting in breasts that sag.

Question 19

During a health history interview,a female patient states that she has noticed a few drops of clear discharge from her right nipple.What should the nurse do next?

Accepted Answer

A)  Immediately contact the physician to report the discharge.
B)  Ask her if she is possibly pregnant.
C)  Ask the patient some additional questions about the medications she is taking.
D)  Immediately obtain a sample for culture and sensitivity testing.

Question 20

The nurse is preparing for a class in early detection of breast cancer.Which statement is true with regard to breast cancer in black women in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)  Breast cancer is not a threat to black women.
B)  Black women have a lower incidence of regional or distant breast cancer than white women.
C)  Black women are more likely to die of breast cancer at any age.
D)  Breast cancer incidence in black women is higher than that of white women after age 45.

Exam 17: Breasts and Regional Lymphatics