Breast Assessment Flashcards
What are appropriate history questions to ask re: the breast?
Pain, lumps, discharge, rashes
history of surgery, history of lumps or CA in other parts of body, birth control pills, sexual trauma, breastfeeding
What are normal findings for the breast in females who are…. Pre-pubescent
nipple, no breast tissue - Maturity Scale 1
What are normal findings for the breast in females who are…. Pubescent
maturity scale 2-5 – breast buds, to increased areola and breast (mound on mound) to mound with flattened areola and slight nipple to mature breast with nipple protruding – flat areola
What are normal findings for the breast in females who are…. Nulliparous, menstruating
“lumpy” or breast pain normal, enlarged/fluid retention normal, veins visible – some striae if weight gain
Clear nipple discharge may be normal with some meds, OCP, digoxin, antidepress.
What are normal findings for the breast in females who are…. Pregnant
enlarged, visible veins, striae normal – colostrum (yellow pre-milk discharge normal from 4 mos) Milk and breasts “harder” “full” from day 4 after delivery
What are normal findings for the breast in females who are…. Menopausal
sagging, drooping, less subq fat, less fibrous tissue, thinner, grainy in consistency
What should be taught re: self breast exam? What techniques should be used?
Prefer vertical lines up and down – push slightly into well of nipple, not squeeze nipple – do once month Look at self in mirror – arms up, down, pushing at hips
When should the woman check her breasts?
preferably first day of month if menopausal, pregnant, or not menstruating OR days 4-7 after period when breasts least sore.
What might indicate male breast cancer? How could it be detected?
Noticeable discharge from breasts, palpable mass esp if hard and irregular, gynecomastia – esp if assymetric, pucker or lump
What is a supernumerary nipple?
Extra nipple in the evolutionary line – just under the other nipples - no breast tissue
What are the symptoms/findings noted with the following conditions of the breast?
Fibrocystic breast disease
“water balloon” comes and goes with menstrual cycle, ache to breast, NON cancerous - common in ????
What are the symptoms/findings noted with the following conditions of the breast?
Fibroadenoma
hard, fast growing mass, often in younger women, NON cancerous – usually removed and biopsied
What are the symptoms/findings noted with the following conditions of the breast?
Acute mastitis
painful, red, hard area of breast – often related to infection from breastfeeding but can happen with nipple piercing, sexual trauma – often febrile
What are the symptoms/findings noted with the following conditions of the breast?
Cancer
hard, palpable mass – often irregular and fixed (not movable) or rash that is not going away – often starts in nipple and moves outward, bloody or change in discharge from nipple or ASYMMETRIC breasts
What are the symptoms/findings noted with the following conditions of the breast?
Paget’s disease
cancer inside that presents as diffuse rash or skin changes
When a mass is discovered, what characteristics should be documented?
location, consistency (hard or soft), mobile or fixed. Irregular or regular< size, clock location , pain
What lymph nodes are related to the breast?
Central (axillary) armpit
Brachial (lateral) arm between tricep and bicep
Pectoral or anterior axillary –
Subscapular or posterior axillary
What are two ways to reference anatomical position on a breast?
- Clock
- divide into quadrants (upper outer, upper inner, lower outer, lower inner)
Where are most tumors in the breast/axilla found?
In the upper outer quadrant in the tail of spence (axilla)
When do breasts have a tendency to feel more nodular?
before menses
What is an extra nipple called and where do they usually fall?
Supernumerary nipples usually fall along the milk line
Other than the tail of spence, where else do tumors have a tendency to grow?
behind the nipple
Upon aging what causes breasts to sag?
loss of connective tissue
In adolescence what is breast development called?
telarche
