Breast Examination Flashcards
lobes will fill more..
granular
subcutaneous tissue will feel…
softer
breast tissue in a younger woman will feel…
more firmer
in older females the lobes will reduce in size an are overlain by subcut tissue
during menstruation breasts may feel…
lumpier
breasts may feel fuller during…
pregnancy maybe
which lymph nodes may enlarge if there is a problem with any of the structures in the breast?
- axillary lymph nodes
- supra-clavicular lymph nodes
indications for breast examiations
- Swellings
- fixed, soft, firm or hard, painful
- position - Changes in breast
- size, shape, symmetry (including areolar and nipple)
- changes in tissue (thickening, dimpling, ulcerate, change colour) - Discharge from nipples
- blood stained, offensive odour, milky in appearance
general inspection
- obvious pain or discomfort when moving arm
- significant weight loss
- type of clothing patient is wearing
- are they wearing a bra? or is it too painful
Describing location on breast?
Quadrants
- Upper inner quadrant
- upper outer quadrant
- lower inner quadrant
- lower outer quadrant
Tail of Spence
positions for inspection
- raise their arms above their head
- may make a dip or swelling in the breast tissue more prominent
- place hands on hips and push down
when pores of the skin are quite obvious and puckered, its referred to as:
peau d’orange like orange peel skin
thickening usually caused up by build up of lymph oedema.
erythematous redness, compare both presents like for like
nipples may be
flattened, everted or inverted
- important to note what position the patients nipples are at
axillary lymph nodes
- patient sitting at 45 degrees
- lateral, posterior, medial anterior and apical
make sure patients arm is relaxed and you are supporting it because it will be more difficult to find lymph nodes if muscles are contracted
make sure patients arm is relaxed and you are supporting it because it will be more difficult to find lymph nodes if muscles are contracted
