Breast and Axilla Exam

Question 1

Health History for Breast Exam to ask about includes?

Answer 1

Breast lumps or mass
Breast discharge or discomfort
Nipple discharge
Breast self exam
Change in size or appearance
Family Hx of Breast CA or fibrocystic breast disease

Question 2

What position should the patient be in for Inspection of the breasts?

Answer 2

Sitting position
Arms at sides

Question 3

What should the provider look for when inspecting breasts

Answer 3

Appearance of the skin
Size and symmetry of the breasts
contour of the breasts
characteristics of the nipples

Question 4

What aspects of the skin should the provider look for?

Answer 4

color
thickening
prominent pores
retraction
skin dimpling
peau d’orange

Question 5

How should the provider palpate the breast?

Answer 5

with patient in supine position
fingerpads of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers slightly flexed
vertical strip pattern is the best systematic process

Question 6

Palpation of the nipple includes what?

Answer 6

palpate each nipple
note elasticity or any discharge

Question 7

What is this an image of?

Answer 7

Padget’s disease

Question 8

What is Padget’s disease of the breasts?

Answer 8

a rare type of skin cancer that affects the skin of the nipple and areola

Question 9

What is this an image of?

Answer 9

Peau d’orange

Question 10

What is Peau d’orange?

Answer 10

a skin condition that causes the skin to become dimpled or pitted, similar to that of an orange

Question 11

Examination of the Male Breasts
Inspect what?

Answer 11

the nipple and areola for nodules, swelling, ulceration

Question 12

Examination of the Male Breasts
Palpate what?

Answer 12

the areola and breast tissue (nodules)

Question 13

Examination of the Male Breasts
If it appears enlarged; soft, fatty enlargement, it is?

Answer 13

obesity

Question 14

Examination of the Male Breasts
Firm disc of glandular enlargement

Answer 14

gynecomastia

Question 15

Examination of the Male Breasts
Hard, irregular, eccentric, or ulcerating nodule

Answer 15

suspicion of breasts cancer

Question 16

Examination of Mastectomy or Breast Augmentation Patient
Inspect what?

Answer 16

the scar (mastectomy) and axilla for masses, unusual nodularity

Question 17

Examination of Mastectomy or Breast Augmentation Patient
Look for change in what or signs of what?

Answer 17

color
signs of inflammation

Question 18

Examination of Mastectomy or Breast Augmentation Patient
Look for the presence of?

Answer 18

lymphedema

Question 19

Examination of Mastectomy or Breast Augmentation Patient
Carefully palpate what?

Answer 19

the breast tissue and incision lines of women with breast augmentation or reconstruction

Question 20

Examination of the Axilla
Inspect for?

Answer 20

rash
infection
unusual pigmentation

Question 21

Examination of the Axilla
Palpate how?

Answer 21

use left hand to examine right axilla
right hand for left axilla

Question 22

Examination of the Axilla
One or more what are frequently felt

Answer 22

soft, small (</= 1cm), nontender nodes

Question 23

Breast Self Exam
Which Step?
While looking in the mirror, visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next raise your arms high overhead. Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples.

Answer 23

Step 1

Question 24

Breast Self Exam
Which Step?
Rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match - few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes particularly to one side.

Answer 24

Step 2

Question 25

Breast Self Exam
Which Step?
While Lying down, the breast tissue spreads out along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the entire breast area and armpit. Use light, medium and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breasts.

Answer 25

Step 3

Question 26

Breast Self Exam
Which Step?
Feel up and down your breasts, first with a soft touch, then increase the pressure. Feel for changes from top to bottom and side to side. Cover your entire breast and don’t miss any tissue.

Answer 26

Step 4