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Health Assessment Lec > Assessing the Breast and Axilla > Flashcards

Assessing the Breast and Axilla Flashcards

1
Q

12 to 25 glandular lobes
containing alveoli that
produce milk

A

Lobe

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2
Q

Transport milk to the
nipple

A

Lactiferous duct

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3
Q

Fibrous bands, which provide structural support, are attached to the chest wall musculature.

A

Cooper’s ligament
(fibrous tissue)

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4
Q

What is the most common route for breast cancer cells to spread in the body?

A

The lymphatic system

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5
Q

In ____,
examination should occur 5 to 7 days after the menstrual cycle begins, or 3 to 5 days after it ends.

A

In premenopausal women,

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6
Q

In ____, BSE
should be performed on the same day each month.

A

postmenopausal women

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7
Q

True or False: Inspecting the skin of the breast, checking for edema, noting breast size and symmetry, and inspecting the nipples are all steps typically taken during a breast examination.

A

True

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8
Q

What should the normal appearance of the breast skin be?

A

Answer: The skin should be smooth, undimpled, and the same color as the rest of the surrounding skin.

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9
Q

What can edema (swelling) of the breast skin indicate?

A

Answer: Edema may signal lymphatic obstruction and could potentially be a sign of cancer.

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10
Q

How important is perfect breast symmetry?

A

Answer: Slight asymmetry can be normal in some women, with the left breast often slightly larger than the right. The key is to note any significant changes in symmetry.

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11
Q

What might dimpling or retraction of the breast skin suggest?

A

Answer: Dimpling or retraction can be a sign of a serious form of cancer and requires further evaluation.

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12
Q

When should a change in nipple appearance be a concern?

A

Answer: Lifelong nipple inversion may be normal, but any recent changes in the nipple, such as inversion, dimpling, or creasing, warrant further investigation.

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13
Q

In what positions should the breasts be inspected for abnormalities?

A

Answer: The breasts should be inspected in several positions, including sitting with arms overhead, sitting with hands on hips, and sitting with hands pressed together.

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14
Q

True or False: Breast palpation should be done with the woman standing upright.

A

False. Breast palpation should be done with the woman lying in a supine position.

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15
Q

What is the purpose of placing a small pillow under the woman’s shoulder on the side being examined?

A

Answer: The pillow helps spread the breast tissue evenly across the chest wall, making it easier to detect lumps (nodules).

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16
Q

Can the woman leave her arm at her side during palpation if her breasts are small?

A

Answer: True. If the woman’s breasts are small, she can leave her arm at her side instead of placing it behind her head.

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17
Q

True or False: Only deep pressure should be used during breast palpation.

A

Answer: False, using light, medium, and deeper pressure during palpation.

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18
Q

Identify two specific areas that should be included during a breast self-exam according to the passage.

A

Answer: The tail of Spence and the subareolar area.

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19
Q

According to the American Cancer Society, which method of breast palpation is the most effective for ensuring the entire breast is examined?

A

Answer: Vertical strip method

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20
Q

What are the three methods mentioned in the passage for palpating the breasts during a clinical examination?

Answer: The passage mentions three methods: circular,
wedged,
and vertical strip.

A
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21
Q

True or False: According to the passage, only the presence or absence of nipple discharge needs to be noted during examination.

A

Answer: False, specifies that if a lump is noted, you should examine the nipple for discharge, noting the color, amount, and consistency of any discharge.

22
Q

what does the acronym DISC stand for when examining the nipple for abnormalities?

A

Answer: DISC stands for:
Discharge
Inversion
Skin changes
Compare With the Other Side

23
Q

What are the two possible shapes described for a breast lump?

A

Answer: Round and lobular OR Irregular and star-shaped

24
Q

How can a well-demarcated lump be differentiated from a poorly defined lump in terms of consistency?

A

Answer: A well-demarcated lump feels firm to soft, while a poorly defined lump feels firm to hard.

25
Q

How does the mobility of a lump potentially differ between a fibroadenoma and a cancerous mass?

A

Answer: A fibroadenoma is very mobile (feels slippery), while a cancerous mass might be fixed (not move easily).

26
Q

What are some observations about tenderness and skin changes that might help differentiate a benign cyst from a cancerous mass?

A

Answer: Fibrocystic disease (cysts) can be tender, while cancer is usually non-tender. Cancer might cause skin retraction, whereas fibrocystic disease and fibroadenomas typically don’t.

27
Q

two methods for specifying the location of a breast lump:

A

Quadrants
Clock Face

28
Q

Quadrants: Divide the breast into four quadrants

A

(Upper-Outer (UOQ), Upper-Inner (UIQ),
Lower-Outer (LOQ),
Lower-Inner (LIQ))
and identify the quadrant where the lump is located.

29
Q

True or False: when using the clock face method to describe a breast lump location, only the quadrant (e.g., upper-outer) needs to be specified.

A

Answer: False, specifies that the clock face method involves designating the location of the lump by:
Imagining the nipple as a clock center (12 o’clock at the top).
Assigning a number (e.g., 2 o’clock) to indicate the direction relative to the nipple.

30
Q

Documenting breath lump 6 characteristics

A

Shape: Round and lobular vs. Irregular and star-shaped.
Demarcation and Consistency: Well-demarcated and feels firm to soft vs. Poorly defined and feels firm to hard.
Mobility and Number: Very mobile (feels slippery) and single vs. Fixed (not moving easily) and multiple.
Tenderness: Relatively tender vs. Non-tender.
Size in centimeters/Skin Changes: No skin retraction vs. Skin retraction.
Location: Using quadrants (UOQ, UIQ, LOQ, LIQ) or clock face (time and distance from nipple).

31
Q

True/False
According to the passage, only palpation is required when examining the axillary nodes.

A

Answer: False. The passage mentions two techniques: inspection and palpation. Inspection involves visually checking the skin for abnormalities.

32
Q

During axillary node palpation, where should you position your fingers in relation to the pectoral muscles?

A

Answer: The passage states you should place your fingers directly behind the pectoral muscles, pointing towards the midclavicle (middle of the clavicle bone).

33
Q

What are three characteristics that would classify an axillary lymph node as abnormal during palpation?

A

The passage describes three characteristics of an abnormal lymph node:

Hard: Feels firm or fixed compared to a soft, mobile normal node.

Large: Noticeably bigger than a small, pea-sized normal node.

Tender: Causes discomfort when pressed, unlike a nontender normal node.

34
Q

In which area under the arm are the pectoral and anterior nodes located?

A

Answer: The pectoral and anterior nodes are located in the anterior axillary fold, which is the fold of skin at the front of the armpit, between the chest wall and the upper arm.

35
Q

How can you compress the lateral lymph nodes during palpation?

A

Answer: Press your fingers along the upper inner arm and try to compress these nodes against the humerus, which is the upper arm bone.

36
Q

What is the recommended position for palpating the subscapular or posterior nodes?

A

Answer: To palpate the subscapular nodes, you should stand behind the patient and press your fingers to feel inside the muscle of the posterior axillary fold, which is the fold of skin at the back of the armpit.

37
Q

Axillary nodes

A

Central (Rotter’s) nodes
Pectoral (anterior) nodes
Subscapular (posterior) nodes
Humeral (lateral) nodes

38
Q

What can a breast lump caused by breast cancer sometimes feel like during a doctor’s exam?

A

Answer: Firm, irregular, and fixed (not moving)

39
Q

What is the name for the earliest stage of breast cancer that develops in the milk ducts?

A

Answer: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

40
Q

What type of breast cancer starts in a milk duct and spreads to surrounding tissue?

A

Answer: Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC)

41
Q

What is a puckering or dimpling of the breast skin that can be a sign of breast cancer?

A

Answer: Skin retraction

42
Q

What is a sign on the breast that might suggest cancer and looks like puckered skin?

A

Answer: Dimpling

43
Q

What are fibrocystic breast changes typically like during a breast exam (compared to breast cancer)?

A

Answer: Round, tender, and movable lumps

44
Q

What is a fibroadenoma typically like during a smooth breast exam (compared to breast cancer)?

A

Answer: Smooth, rubbery, and movable lump

45
Q

What is a possible cause of a nipple that pulls inward (retracted nipple)?

A

Answer: Scar tissue in the breast

46
Q

What can nipple retraction sometimes indicate?

A

Answer: Inflammatory breast issue or cancer

47
Q

What is an unusual early sign of Paget’s disease of the breast, a rare form of cancer?

A

Answer: Red, scaly rash on the nipple or areola

48
Q

What can happen if a breastfeeding woman has a cracked nipple and bacteria enters the breast tissue?

A

Answer: Mastitis (infection)

49
Q

What is gynecomastia?

A

Answer: Abnormal enlargement of male breast tissue

50
Q

Besides hormones, what else can cause gynecomastia?

A

Answer: Liver disease (cirrhosis), leukemia, thyroid problems, drug use, or alcohol use

51
Q
A

Health Assessment Lec (11 decks)

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