Breast and Lymphatic System Flashcards
Breast changes does not always indicate ________
Cancer. Women’s bodies change as they age (normal developmental changes), so health professionals would like to examine them as soon as the patient finds something that is not normal to them.
What is the significance of Breast Self-Examinations?
Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of breast self-examination to encourage familiarity of their breasts and report any abnormal changes to a healthcare professional who could better assess the issue
What should you not examine your breasts or a patient’s breasts?
When it is not tender or swollen
Breast awareness
Occasionally feeling your breasts to check for abnormalities
How frequent should you assess your breasts? If you are not interested in doing BSE, what should you at least consider to monitor your health?
BSE should be assess on a regular basis to ensure health. If a women chooses not to do BSE, they should still be familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts in order to identify any abnormal changes.
Where is the axillary tail of spence?
Located upwards towards the axilla
What area of the breast should monitor signs of breast cancer (lumps)”?
The axillary tail of spence where breast lumps tend to grow.
What are the four quadrants of the breast?
Upper outer, upper inner, lower outer, and lower inner
Montgomery’s glands
Located around the areola that are sebaceous glands that keep the nipples moisturized and supple
What region is more likely to be the gate keeper, trap a malignancy from entering the rest of the lymphatic system?
Upper, outer quadrant due to axillary tail of spence
Function of the glandular tissue in the breast
Produces milk. It increase in size to prepare the function of producing milk when a pregnancy is occurring
Function of fibrous tissue of the breast
Supports the breast
Function of adipose tissue of the breast
Stores the excess energy and release it when required by the body. However, breast adipose tissue also plays a major role in breast development and maturation
Name the axillary (lymph) nodes that drain the impurities from the breast
Central (midaxillary)
Pectoral (anterior)
Subscapular (posterior)
Lateral (brachial)
How much breast lymph fluid drains into the axillary node?
75 percent
What are we going to collect for the subjective data?
- History of present heath concern: COLDSPA
- Past health history
- Family history (women who have family history of breast cancer can increase the likelihood)
- Lifestyle and health practices (women who smoke have a higher risk of breast cancer. Poor diet can increase the likelihood)
What type of subjective questions would we ask about the breast?
Pain: Pain or tenderness? When first noticed? Location? Sore to touch? Burning or pulling sensation? Is pain cyclic? Related to menstrual cycle? Related to strenuous activity, change in activity, manipulation during sex, exercise, underwire bra?
Lump: Lump or thickening? Location? When first noticed? Change since first noticed? Related to menstrual cycle? Changes in skin (redness, warmth, dimpling, swelling)?
Discharge: When first noticed? Color? Consistency (thick or runny)? Odor?
Rash: When first noticed? Where did it start (nipple, areola, surrounding skin)?
Swelling: Location? Related to menstrual period, pregnancy, breastfeeding? Change in bra size?
Trauma: Result in swelling, lump, break in skin?
History of breast disease: Type? How diagnosed? When? Treatment? Family history? Who? At what age?
Surgery: Was it biopsy? Results? Was it mastectomy? Mammoplasty (augmentation, reduction)?
Self-care behaviors:
Breast self-exam: Been taught? How often do you perform? How do you remember to perform?
Mammogram: When was last exam?
What type of subjective data questions would we ask about the patient’s axilla?
Tenderness, lump, swelling: Location? When first noticed?
Rash: Describe. Reaction to deodorant?
How could we prepare the patient for a breast examination?
We should explain to the patient about we are going to do during the breast exam. Also, explain how you will drape, provide draping and allow enough privacy to the patient
Let the patient know about the equipment and sequence of how the exam will occur.
To begin, have the patient sit upright so you could compare both breasts for symmetry and inspect any changes
Inspection of the Breasts includes:
The breasts are inspected bilaterally to check for:
General appearance: Size, symmetry (slightly asymmetric, but should be smooth and normal coloration) , shape
Skin: discoloration (does not include suntan), dimpling, striae (usually occurs after weight gain or during puberty), retraction
Lymphatic drainage: inspect for edema
Nipple: symmetry, color, size, shape, texture of areola, nipple direction (ask them if the nipple usually look like that)
What is considered abnormal during inspection in the breasts?
- Edema
- Discharge of the nipples
- Dry Lesions
- Ulcers
- Bleeding
- Bruising
Inspection of the axilla include:
Inspect and palpate the skin
Be aware of any lumps or swelling that we see