PN 111 Ch 16 and 17 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED CORRECT SOLUTIONS
How should the nurse teach a female patient to perform a self breast examination
(SBE)?
*Teach patient to use pads of fingertips
***Stand in front of a mirror—to inspect for symmetry
***Press GENTLY with the pads of the fingertips while moving your fingers (without
lifting off of breast) in a pattern (star, vertical, horizontal) across your chest
* Be sure to teach the patient to include the axillary area because most lymph draining
from the breast flows through this area.
* More than 75% of lymph drainage from the breast flows outward toward the axillary
lymph node.
*Note any new lumps
*Note consistency of lumps
*Note any drainage, skin changes
How should the nurse perform a female breast examination?
*Always explain procedure before you begin.
*Let patient know you will be touching her breasts, and obtain permission before
beginning.
*Position patient so she is sitting on examination table facing you, sitting erect with
gown dropped to waist.
, ***Following inspection, assist patient into supine position so that breasts and nipples
may be palpated--a pillow should be placed under the shoulder of the breast being
examined in order to flatten the breast tissue over the chest wall to make abnormal
findings easier to feel.
*Inspect both breasts: Note size, shape, contour, and symmetry.
***Have patient lean forward to assess symmetry of the suspensory ligaments.
*Inspect skin for color, pigmentation, vascularity, surface characteristics, and lesions.
*Inspect areolae for color and surface characteristics.
*Inspect nipples for position, symmetry, surface characteristics, lesions, bleeding, and
discharge
*Inspect breasts with patient in various positions for bilateral pull, symmetry, and
contour. Also look for nipple symmetry
*Inspect and palpate axillae for evidence of rash, lesions, or masses.
***Palpate breasts for tissue characteristics. Palpate up into the axilla-most lymphatic
drainage from the breast travels through there--Lymph nodes in the axilla area are not
normally palpable or visible
*Palpate nipples for surface characteristics and discharge
How does the nurse perform breast examination of a male patient and what are
the expected findings?
Inspect breasts and nipples.
Palpate breasts and nipples.
Examine him while sitting with his arms at his side.
Expected findings:
VERIFIED CORRECT SOLUTIONS
How should the nurse teach a female patient to perform a self breast examination
(SBE)?
*Teach patient to use pads of fingertips
***Stand in front of a mirror—to inspect for symmetry
***Press GENTLY with the pads of the fingertips while moving your fingers (without
lifting off of breast) in a pattern (star, vertical, horizontal) across your chest
* Be sure to teach the patient to include the axillary area because most lymph draining
from the breast flows through this area.
* More than 75% of lymph drainage from the breast flows outward toward the axillary
lymph node.
*Note any new lumps
*Note consistency of lumps
*Note any drainage, skin changes
How should the nurse perform a female breast examination?
*Always explain procedure before you begin.
*Let patient know you will be touching her breasts, and obtain permission before
beginning.
*Position patient so she is sitting on examination table facing you, sitting erect with
gown dropped to waist.
, ***Following inspection, assist patient into supine position so that breasts and nipples
may be palpated--a pillow should be placed under the shoulder of the breast being
examined in order to flatten the breast tissue over the chest wall to make abnormal
findings easier to feel.
*Inspect both breasts: Note size, shape, contour, and symmetry.
***Have patient lean forward to assess symmetry of the suspensory ligaments.
*Inspect skin for color, pigmentation, vascularity, surface characteristics, and lesions.
*Inspect areolae for color and surface characteristics.
*Inspect nipples for position, symmetry, surface characteristics, lesions, bleeding, and
discharge
*Inspect breasts with patient in various positions for bilateral pull, symmetry, and
contour. Also look for nipple symmetry
*Inspect and palpate axillae for evidence of rash, lesions, or masses.
***Palpate breasts for tissue characteristics. Palpate up into the axilla-most lymphatic
drainage from the breast travels through there--Lymph nodes in the axilla area are not
normally palpable or visible
*Palpate nipples for surface characteristics and discharge
How does the nurse perform breast examination of a male patient and what are
the expected findings?
Inspect breasts and nipples.
Palpate breasts and nipples.
Examine him while sitting with his arms at his side.
Expected findings:
