ch 18: findings for the breasts and axillae

Which findings would the nurse consider abnormal when palpating the breast tissue of a 9-month-old infant?

Swelling or enlargement, Milky white discharge from the nipple

1. Which finding would the nurse expect when assessing the nipple of a light-skinned woman?

The areola may be brown during pregnancy.

3. Which findings would the nurse expect when inspecting the breasts of an adolescent girl?

The breast tissue appears firm and tight., The left breast is larger than the right breast.

2. What change may occur in breast appearance in many postmenopausal women?

The breasts are flattened, elongated, and loosened from the wall of the chest

5. Which finding is expected on palpation of an older adult woman's breast?

The breasts have a fine, granular feel.

7. Which abnormal assessment findings indicate swelling in the breast tissue when noted during inspection?

The skin appears thicker., There are large pores in the skin., Skin markings can be visualized clearly.

6. Which findings would be considered normal on palpation of the breasts of a newborn?

Breast tissue is slightly enlarged., Tissue can be easily palpated behind the nipple., A small amount of clear fluid is discharged from the nipple.

Which findings would the nurse expect when palpating a woman's breast tissue?

Dense nature, Firmness, Elasticity

A mother who is breastfeeding her baby complains of pain and tenderness in the right breast. Which finding would be considered abnormal during palpation of the breast tissue?

A hot raised nodule is detected. In a mother who is breastfeeding, a hot raised palpable nodule on the breast suggests a clogged milk duct, which is an abnormal finding.

11. Which assessment finding would the nurse note as abnormal when palpating the axillary lymph nodes in a patient?

A palpable lymph node

10. Which finding would the nurse note as abnormal when assessing a female patient's breast?

A small, nontender nodule is found in the right breast.

Which assessment finding is considered abnormal on inspection of a breastfeeding patient's nipples?

Cracked nipples

12. Which finding would the nurse note as abnormal when assessing the breast tissue of a teenage boy?

Enlarged breast tissue

Which assessment finding is expected when palpating a man's breast tissue?

Feeling a thin layer of fatty tissue over the muscle

4. When palpating the breasts of a new mother whose milk has just come in, which findings would the nurse expect?

Firm, dense, and slightly enlarged breasts

On assessment of a patient's nipples, the nurse notes retraction. Which description best describes this abnormal finding?

Flattening or pulling back of the nipple

Which assessment finding is considered normal during inspection of a woman's breasts?

One breast is slightly smaller

8. On assessment of the nipples, which finding would be considered abnormal?

One nipple points in a different direction.

When inspecting a patient's areolae, which assessment findings would be considered normal?

Round or oval shape and symmetrical

9. Which inspection findings are considered abnormal on inspection of the breasts of a female patient who has had a right mastectomy?

redness, swelling, scar irritation