CHAPTER 10: THE BREASTS AND AXILLAE

C HAPTER 10: T HE B REASTS AND A XILLAE


MULTIPLE CHOICE


1. The nurse is reviewing statistics regarding breast cancer. Which woman,
aged 40 years in the United States, has t he highest risk for developing
breast cancer?
a. Black
b. White
c. Asian
d. American Indian



ANS: A



The incidence of breast cancer varies within different cultural groups.
White women have a higher incidence of breast cancer than black
women starting at age 45 ye ars; but black women have a higher
incidence before age 45 years. Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian
women have a lower risk for development of breast cancer (American
Cancer Societ y, 2009 -2010).



DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 389
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrit y: Reduction of Risk
Potential



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

, 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 likel y to die of breast cancer at any age.
d. Breast cancer incidence in black women is higher than that of whit e
women after age 45.



ANS: C



Black women have a higher incidence of breast cancer before age 45
years than white women and are more likel y to die of their disease. In
addition, black women are significantl y more likel y to be diagnosed
with regional or di stant breast cancer than are white women. These
racial differences in mortalit y rates may be related to an insufficient
use of screening measures and a lack of access to health care.



DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 389
MSC: Client Needs: Physiologic Integrit y: Reduction of Risk
Potential



3. During a breast health interview, a patient states that she has noticed pain
in her left breast. The nurses most appropriate response to this would be:
a. Dont worry about the pain; breast canc er 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 m y son was born; it turned out to be a
blocked milk duct.
d. Breast pain is almost always the result of benign breast disease.



ANS: B

, Breast pain occurs with trauma, inflammation, infection, or benign
breast disease. The nurse will need to gather more information about
the patients pain rather than make statements that ignore the patients
concerns.



DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal yzing (Anal ysis) REF: p. 391
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment:
Management of Care



4. 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 n ext?
a. Immediatel y contact the physician to report the discharge.
b. Ask her if she is possibl y pregnant.
c. Ask the patient some additional questions about the medications she
is taking.
d. Immediatel y obtain a sample for culture and sensitivit y testing.



ANS: C



The use of some medications, such as oral contraceptives,
phenothiazines, diuretics, digitalis, steroids, methyldopa, and calcium
channel blockers, may cause clear nipple discharge. Bloody or blood -
tinged discharge from the nipple, not clear, is signific ant, especiall y if
a lump is also present. In the pregnant female, colostrum would be a
thick, yellowish liquid, and it would be normall y expressed after the
fourth month of pregnancy.