Question 1

During an examination of a woman,the nurse notices that her left breast is slightly larger than her right breast.Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

During a discussion about breast self-examination with a 30-year-old woman,which of the following statements by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A) "The best time to examine your breasts is during ovulation." 
B) "Examine your breasts every month on the same day of the month." 
C) "Examine your breasts shortly after your menstrual cycle each month." 
D) "The best time to examine your breasts is immediately before menstruation."

Question 3

The nurse is assessing the breasts of a 68-year-old woman and discovers a mass in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast.When assessing this mass,the nurse keeps in mind that characteristics of a cancerous mass would be: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A) nontender mass. 
B) dull,heavy pain on palpation. 
C) rubbery texture and mobile. 
D) hard,dense,and immobile. 
E) regular border.
F)irregular,poorly delineated border.

Question 4

The nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about breast milk.Which statement would be true?

Accepted Answer

A) Breast milk is present immediately after delivery of the baby. 
B) Breast milk is rich in protein and sugars (lactose)but has very little fat. 
C) Colostrum,which is a thin,watery fluid,is present on days 4 and 5 post partum (after the birth). 
D) Colostrum is a fluid that contains antibodies and is usually present after the fourth month of pregnancy.

Question 5

During a 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) Contact the physician immediately to report the discharge. 
B) Discontinue the interview and refer her for a mammogram. 
C) Ask her some additional questions about the medications she is taking. 
D) Make a note of the discharge but ask no further questions because clear discharge is often found in healthy women.

Question 6

Which of the following women reflect abnormal findings during the inspection phase of breast examination?

Accepted Answer

A) A woman whose nipples are in different planes (deviated) 
B) A woman whose left breast is slightly larger than her right 
C) A nonpregnant woman whose skin is marked with linear striae 
D) A pregnant woman whose breasts have a fine blue network of veins visible under the skin

Question 7

If a patient reports a recent breast infection,the nurse would expect to find:

Accepted Answer

A) nonspecific node enlargement. 
B) ipsilateral axillary node enlargement. 
C) contralateral axillary node enlargement. 
D) inguinal and cervical node enlargement.

Question 8

During an interview,a patient reveals that she is pregnant.She states that she is not sure whether she will breast-feed her baby and asks for some information about this.Which of the following statements by the nurse is accurate with regard to breast-feeding?

Accepted Answer

A) Breast-fed babies tend to be more colicky. 
B) Breast-feeding may reduce the risk of breast cancer. 
C) Breast-fed babies eat more often than infants on formula. 
D) Breast-feeding is second nature and every woman can do it.

Question 9

While inspecting a patient's breasts,the nurse finds that the left breast is slightly larger than the right with the presence of Montgomery's glands bilaterally and a fine venous pattern in both breasts.The nurse would:

Accepted Answer

A) palpate over the venous patterns,checking for drainage. 
B) consider these normal findings and proceed with the examination. 
C) ask extensive history questions regarding the woman's breast asymmetry. 
D) continue with examination and then refer the patient for further evaluation of the Montgomery's glands.

Question 10

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 that which statement about breast cancer in males is true?

Accepted Answer

A) Breast masses in men are difficult to detect because of minimal breast tissue. 
B) Breast masses in men are noticeable early because of minimal breast tissue. 
C) Fewer than 1% of all breast cancer occurs in men. 
D) Most breast masses in men are diagnosed as gynecomastia.

Question 11

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 12

An 9-year-old girl is in the clinic for a sports physical.After some initial shyness she finally asks,"Am I normal? I don't seem to need a bra yet but I have some friends who do.What if I never get breasts?" The nurse's best response would be:

Accepted Answer

A) "Don't worry,you still have plenty of time to develop." 
B) "I know just how you feel,I was a late bloomer myself.Just be patient and they will grow." 
C) "You will probably get your periods before you notice any significant growth in your breasts." 
D) "I understand that it is hard to feel different from your friends.Breasts usually develop between 8 and 10 years of age."

Question 13

A woman is in the family planning clinic seeking birth control information.She states that her breasts "change all month long" and that she is worried that this is unusual.What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

A) Tell her that it is unusual.The breasts of nonpregnant females usually stay pretty much the same all month long. 
B) Tell her that it is very common for breasts to change in response to stress and assess her life for stressful events. 
C) Tell her that,because of the changing hormones during the monthly menstrual cycle,cyclic breast changes are common. 
D) Tell her that breast changes normally occur only during pregnancy and that a pregnancy test is needed at this time.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true regarding the internal structures of the breast?

Accepted Answer

A) The breast is mainly muscle,with very little fibrous tissue. 
B) The breast is composed of fibrous,glandular,and adipose tissue. 
C) The breast is composed mostly of milk ducts,known as lactiferous ducts. 
D) The breast is composed of glandular tissue,which supports the breast by attaching to the chest wall.

Question 15

During a breast health interview,a patient states that she has noticed pain in her left breast.The nurse's most appropriate response to this would be:

Accepted Answer

A) "Don't worry about the pain;breast cancer is not painful." 
B) "I would like some more information about the pain in your left breast." 
C) "Oh,I had pain like that after my son was born;it turned out to be a blocked milk duct." 
D) "Breast pain is almost always the result of benign breast disease and so let's just ignore it."

Question 16

A 14-year-old girl is anxious about not having reached menarche.When taking the history,the nurse should ascertain which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) The age she began to develop breasts 
B) The age her mother developed breasts 
C) The age she began to develop pubic hair 
D) The age she began to develop axillary hair.

Exam 17: Breasts and Regional Lymphatics