Breast Examination

The nurse is conducting a class about breast self-examination (BSE). Which of these statements indicates proper BSE technique?

a.The best time to perform BSE is in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

b.The woman needs to perform BSE only bimonthly unless she has fibrocystic breast tissue.

c.The best time to perform a BSE is 4 to 7 days after the first day of the menstrual period.

d.If she suspects that she is pregnant, then the woman should not perform a BSE until her baby is born.

ANS: The best time to perform BSE is 4 to 7 days after the first day of the menstrual period.

The nurse should help each woman establish a regular schedule of self-care. The best time to conduct breast self-examination is right after the menstrual period, or the fourth through seventh day of the menstrual cycle, when the breasts are the smallest and least congested. Advise the pregnant or menopausal woman who is not having menstrual periods to select a familiar date to examine her breasts each month, for example, her birth date or the day the rent is due.

The nurse is palpating a female patient's breasts during an examination. Which of these positions is most likely to make significant lumps more distinct during breast palpation?

a. Supine with the arms raised over her head
b.Sitting with the arms relaxed at her sides
c.Supine with the arms relaxed at her sides
d.Sitting with the arms flexed and fingertips touching her shoulders

ANS: Supine with arms raised over her head

The nurse should help the woman to a supine position, tuck a small pad under the side to be palpated, and help the woman raise her arm over her head. These maneuvers will flatten the breast tissue and displace it medially. Any significant lumps will then feel more distinct

The nurse is discussing breast self-examination with a postmenopausal woman. The best time for postmenopausal women to perform breast self-examination is:

a.On the same day every month.
b.Daily, during the shower or bath.
c.One week after her menstrual period.
d.Every year with her annual gynecologic examination.

ANS: the same day every month.

Postmenopausal women are no longer experiencing regular menstrual cycles but need to continue to perform breast self-examination on a monthly basis. Choosing the same day of the month is a helpful reminder to perform breast self-examination.

A nurse instructs a community education class on breast health .which statement best described understanding of the appropriate age to start screening mamograms is a woman of average risk?

A- At menopause
B-At 65 -years -old 
C-At the cessation of breast feeding
D-At 40 years old 

These guidelines are for women at average risk for breast cancer. For screening purposes, a woman is considered to be at average risk if she doesn’t have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history of breast cancer, or a genetic mutation known to increase risk of breast cancer (such as in a BRCA gene), and has not had chest radiation therapy before the age of 30. (See below for guidelines for women at high risk.)

Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.
All women should understand what to expect when getting a mammogram for breast cancer screening – what the test can and cannot do.