ATI LPN
Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017)
Chapter 58 : Assessment and Management of Patients with Breast Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
A woman scheduled for a simple mastectomy in one week is having her preoperative education provided by the clinic nurse. What educational intervention will be of primary importance to prevent hemorrhage in the postoperative period?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Aspirin has anticoagulant properties that can increase the risk of postoperative bleeding. Instructing the patient to stop taking aspirin is critical to minimize hemorrhage risk. Limiting green leafy vegetables affects vitamin K levels but is less directly related to immediate bleeding risk. Fluid intake or NPO status does not significantly impact hemorrhage prevention.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a 52-year-old woman whose aunt and mother died of breast cancer. The patient states, My doctor and I talked about Tamoxifen to help prevent breast cancer. Do you think it will work? What would be the nurses best response?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator proven to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer in high-risk women, making it a highly effective chemopreventive agent. It does not eliminate risk entirely, and it also helps prevent osteoporosis, not increase it. A slight protective effect understates its efficacy.
Question 3 of 5
A woman is being treated for a tumor of the left breast. If the patient and her physician opt for prophylactic treatment, the nurse should prepare the woman for what intervention?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Prophylactic treatment for breast cancer in a patient with a diagnosed tumor in one breast often involves a bilateral mastectomy to reduce the risk of cancer in the unaffected breast. This is distinct from curative treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or unilateral mastectomy, which target the existing tumor.
Question 4 of 5
During a recent visit to the clinic a woman presents with erythema of the nipple and areola on the right breast. She states this started several weeks ago and she was fearful of what would be found. The nurse should promptly refer the patient to her primary care provider because the patients signs and symptoms are suggestive of what health problem?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Erythema of the nipple and areola is a hallmark of Paget's disease, a rare form of breast cancer affecting the nipple. Peau d'orange is associated with lymphatic obstruction in advanced breast cancer, nipple inversion suggests malignancy if recent, and acute mastitis is typically linked to lactation, which is not indicated here.
Question 5 of 5
A patient who came to the clinic after finding a mass in her breast is scheduled for a diagnostic breast biopsy. During the nurses admission assessment, the nurse observes that the patient is distracted and tense. What is it important for the nurse to do?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acknowledging the patient's fear validates her emotions and opens communication, which is crucial during the diagnostic phase of a potential breast cancer diagnosis. Referring to support groups or assessing stress management is premature, and diagnosing ineffective coping assumes a problem not yet confirmed.