Which of the following statements is true regarding the internal structures of the breast? The breast is made up of:
a. Primarily muscle with very little
... [Show More] fibrous tissue.
b. Fibrous, glandular, and adipose tissues.
c. Primarily milk ducts, known as lactiferous ducts.
d. Glandular tissue, which supports the breast by attaching to the chest wall. - ANSWER ANS: B
The breast is made up of glandular, fibrous (including the suspensory ligaments), and adipose tissues.
In performing a breast examination, the nurse knows that examining the upper outer quadrant of the breast is especially important. The reason for this is that the upper outer quadrant is:
a. The largest quadrant of the breast.
b. The location of most breast tumors.
c. Where most of the suspensory ligaments attach.
d. More prone to injury and calcifications than other locations in the breast. - ANSWER ANS: B
The upper outer quadrant is the site of most breast tumors. In the upper outer quadrant, the nurse should notice the axillary tail of Spence, the cone-shaped breast tissue that projects up into the axilla, close to the pectoral group of axillary lymph nodes.
In performing an assessment of a woman's axillary lymph system, the nurse should assess which of these nodes?
a. Central, axillary, lateral, and sternal
b. Pectoral, lateral, anterior, and sternal
c. Central, lateral, pectoral, and subscapular
d. Lateral, pectoral, axillary, and suprascapular - ANSWER ANS: C
The breast has extensive lymphatic drainage. Four groups of axillary nodes are present: (1) central, (2) pectoral (anterior), (3) subscapular (posterior), and (4) lateral.
If a patient reports a recent breast infection, then the nurse should expect to find ________ node enlargement.
a. Nonspecific
b. Ipsilateral axillary
c. Contralateral axillary
d. Inguinal and cervical - ANSWER ANS: B
The breast has extensive lymphatic drainage. Most of the lymph, more than 75%, drains into the ipsilateral, or same side, axillary nodes.
A 9-year-old girl is in the clinic for a sport physical examination. 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:
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." - ANSWER ANS: D
Adolescent breast development usually begins between 8 and 10 years of age. The nurse should not belittle the girl's feelings by using statements like "don't worry" or by sharing personal experiences. The beginning of breast development precedes menarche by approximately 2 years.
A patient contacts the office and tells the nurse that she is worried about her 10-year-old daughter having breast cancer. She describes a unilateral enlargement of the right breast with associated tenderness. She is worried because the left breast is not enlarged. What would be the nurse's best response? Tell the mother that:
a. Breast development is usually fairly symmetric and that the daughter should be examined right away.
b. She should bring in her daughter right away because breast cancer is fairly common in preadolescent girls.
c. Although an examination of her daughter would rule out a problem, her breast development is most likely normal.
d. It is unusual for breasts that are first developing to feel tender because they haven't developed much fibrous tissue. - ANSWER ANS: C
Occasionally, one breast may grow faster than the other, producing a temporary asymmetry, which may cause some distress; reassurance is necessary. Tenderness is also common.
A 14-year-old girl is anxious about not having reached menarche. When taking the health history, the nurse should ascertain which of the following? The age that:
a. The girl began to develop breasts.
b. Her mother developed breasts.
c. She began to develop pubic hair.
d. She began to develop axillary hair. - ANSWER ANS: A
Full development from stage 2 to stage 5 takes an average of 3 years, although the range is 1 to 6 years. Pubic hair develops during this time, and axillary hair appears 2 years after the onset of pubic hair. The beginning of breast development precedes menarche by approximately 2 years. Menarche occurs in breast development stage 3 or 4, usually just after the peak of the adolescent growth spurt, which occurs around age 12 years (see Figure 17-6). [Show Less]