Assessing the Breast and Axilla

Question 1

________________________ containing alveoli that produce milk

Answer 1

12 to 25 glandular lobes

Question 2

Transport milk to the nipple

Answer 2

lactiferous duct

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Cooper’s ligament

Question 4

In men and women, the _________________________ is the most common route for the spread of breast cancer cells

Answer 4

lymphatic system

Question 5

In premenopausal women, examination should occur __________________________________________, or ____________________________________

Answer 5

5 to 7 days after the menstrual cycle begins; 3 to 5 days after it ends

Question 6

In postmenopausal women, BSE should be performed on the ___________________________

Answer 6

same day each month

Question 7

inspect breast with the patient in various positions

Answer 7

• sitting, arms at side
• sitting, arms over head
• sitting, hands on hips
• sitting, leaning forward
• supine, with pillow under shoulder of breast being examined
• sitting, pushing hands together

Question 8

Asymmetry may occur normally in some adult women, with the____________________ usually larger than the _____________

Answer 8

left breast; right

Question 9

sign of a serious form of cancer

Answer 9

dimpling or retraction

Question 10

Use your _____________________ to palpate the breast systematically

Answer 10

three middle fingers

Question 11

Rotating your fingers gently against the chest wall, move in concentric circles applying __________________________ pressure at each examining point.

Answer 11

light, medium, and deeper

Question 12

three methods may be used to palpate the breasts during a clinical examination:

Answer 12

circular, wedged, vertical strip

Question 13

according to the American Cancer Society, the ______________________ is the most effective method to ensure that the entire breast is palpated

Answer 13

vertical strip method

Question 14

what to remember when assessing the nipple

Answer 14

DISC

Discharge
Inversion
Skin Changes
Compare with the other side

Question 15

Techniques for examining the axillary nodes

Answer 15

inspection and palpation

Question 16

With the patient sitting or standing, inspect the
skin of the axillae for

Answer 16

rashes, infections, or unusual pigmentation.

Question 17

Breast cancer findings on palpation include an irregularly shaped mass with poorly defined edges. The mass is
fixed, feels firm to hard, and is usually nontender. Evidence of skin retraction may be present.

Answer 17

Breast cancer mass

Question 18

is breast cancer in the earliest stage developing in the ducts.

Answer 18

Ductal carcinoma in situ

Question 19

Cancer begins within the duct and spreads to the breast’s parenchymal tissue.

Answer 19

Infiltrating (invasive) ductal carcinoma

Question 20

—the puckering or retraction of skin on the breast— results from abnormal attachment of the skin to underlying tissue. It suggests an inflammatory or malignant mass beneath the skin surface and usually represents a late sign of breast cancer.

Answer 20

Dimpling

Question 21

• Usually a late sign of breast cancer
• is the edematous thickening and pitting of breast skin. This sign can also occur with breast or axillary lymph node infection or Graves’ disease. Its striking orange peel
  appearance stems from lymphatic edema around deepened hair follicles.

Answer 21

Peau d’orange

Question 22

are round, elastic, mobile masses that are commonly tender on palpation, especially around menstruation

Answer 22

Fibrocystic changes

Question 23

is a benign, round, lobular, and welldemarcated mobile mass that feels slippery and firm to soft on palpation

Answer 23

Fibroadenoma

Question 24

the inward displacement of the nipple below the level of surrounding breast tissue, may indicate an inflammatory breast lesion or cancer

Answer 24

Nipple retraction

Question 25

It results from scar tissue formation within a lesion or large mammary duct. As the scar tissue shortens, it pulls adjacent
tissue inward, causing nipple deviation, flattening, and finally retraction.

Answer 25

Nipple retraction

Question 26

is a rare form of breast cancer that usually starts as a red, granular or crusted, scaly lesion on the nipple or areola. The lesion may ulcerate and cause erosion of the nipple.

Answer 26

Paget’s disease

Question 27

are disorders that affect lactating females

Answer 27

Mastitis and breast engorgement

Question 28

develops when a pathogen in the breastfeeding infant’s nose or pharynx invades breast tissue through a fissured or cracked nipple and disrupts normal lactation. The breast becomes tender, hard, swollen, and warm

Answer 28

Mastitis

Question 29

results from venous and lymphatic stasis and alveolar milk accumulation and
causes painful breasts that feel heavy and may feel warm

Answer 29

Breast engorgement

Question 30

Breast cancer in men usually occurs in the

Answer 30

areolar area

Question 31

abnormal enlargement of the male breast

Answer 31

Gynecomastia

Question 32

may be barely palpable and is usually bilateral. It can be caused by cirrhosis, leukemia, thyrotoxicosis, hormones, illicit drug use, or alcohol consumption

Answer 32

Gynecomastia

Question 33

• Round and lobular
• Well demarcated; feels firm to soft
• Very mobile; single; feels slippery
• Nontender; no skin retraction

Answer 33

Fibroadenoma (benign mass)

Question 34

• Mobile; usually multiple
• Commonly tender, especially just before menstruation; no skin retraction

Answer 34

Fibrocystic disease (benign cysts)

Question 35

• Irregular or star-shaped
• Poorly defined edges; feels firm to hard
• Fixed and single
• Usually nontender with skin retraction

Answer 35

Cancer (malignant mass)