Chapter 58: Assessment and Management of Patients with Breast Disorders

A female patient comes to the clinic with the complaint that she is having a greenish-colored discharge from the nipple and the breast feels warm to touch. What does the nurse suspect these symptoms may indicate?

Infection

A client who underwent an anterior colporrhaphy 6 hours ago has not voided. She reports some discomfort in her suprapubic area. Which of the following would the nurse expect to do?

Catheterize the client.

A woman in her late 30s has been having unusually heavy menstrual periods combined with occasional urine and stool leakage over the past few weeks. Upon further enquiry, she reveals that she also has postcoital pain and bleeding. To which diagnosis will the investigation most likely lead?

Cervical cancer

A 28-year-old woman is learning about breast self-examination. The nurse teaches the woman that the best time of each month to examine her breasts is during the:

First week after menstruation.

The nurse is providing education regarding sexually transmitted infections. Which statement regarding herpes virus 2 (herpes genitalis) is accurate?

In pregnant women with active herpes, babies delivered vaginally may become infected with the virus.

A patient is told that she has a common form of breast cancer where the tumor arises from the duct system and invades the surrounding tissues, often forming a solid irregular mass. What type of cancer does the nurse prepare to discuss with the patient?

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma

Sentinel lymph node mapping is done to validate the lack of lymph node metastasis. Which complication does this technique help avoid?

Lymphedema

On a visit to the gynecologist, a client complains of urinary frequency, pelvic discomfort, and weight loss. After a complete physical examination, blood studies, and a pelvic examination with a Papanicolaou test, the physician diagnoses stage IV ovarian cancer. The nurse expects to prepare the client for which initial treatment?

Major surgery

Which of the following is a term used to describe excessive menstrual bleeding?

Menorrhagia

Which drug is the most effective treatment for trichomoniasis?

Metronidazole

A client has a history of dysmenorrhea. During monthly menses, the client experiences incapacitating cramping and passes large clots. The client's primary care physician initiates conservative treatment. What interventions would the physician to recommend?

NSAIDs

The nurse teaches a premenopausal female client to perform breast self-examination (BSE) at which interval?

On day 5 to day 7, counting the first day of menses as day 1

A nurse is caring for a client who has just had a modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. She's in her 30s and has two young children. Although she's worried about her future, she seems to be adjusting well to her diagnosis. What should the nurse do to support her

Refer the client to the American Cancer Society's Reach for Recovery program or another support program.

A perimenopausal woman informs the nurse that she is having irregular vaginal bleeding. What should the nurse encourage the patient to do?

See her gynecologist as soon as possible.

A female client has just been diagnosed with condylomata acuminata (genital warts). What information is appropriate to tell this client?

This condition puts her at a higher risk for cervical cancer; therefore, she should have a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear annually.

A patient has been diagnosed with a vaginal infection and received a prescription for metronidazole (Flagyl). The nurse knows that this is the recommended treatment for a vaginal infection caused by what organism?

Trichomonas vaginalis