NURS 6512 ACTUAL EXAM REVIEW 2026 LATEST
EDITION 150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
1. Which of the following statements is true regarding the internal structures of the breast?
The breast is:
A. Only glandular tissue
B. Only adipose tissue
C. Only fibrous tissue
D. Composed of fibrous, glandular, and adipose tissue
Answer: D
Rationale: The breast contains a mixture of fibrous, glandular, and adipose tissue, which
supports structure, milk production, and cushioning.
2. In performing a breast examination, the nurse knows that it is especially important to
examine the upper outer quadrant of the breast. The reason for this is that the upper outer
quadrant is:
A. Less likely to develop lumps
B. Where most breast infections occur
C. The location of most breast tumors
D. The least vascularized area
Answer: C
Rationale: The upper outer quadrant contains the majority of glandular tissue, making it the
most common site for breast tumors.
3. In performing an assessment of a woman's axillary lymph system, the nurse should
assess which of these nodes?
A. Supraclavicular only
B. Axillary only
C. Central, lateral, pectoral, and subscapular nodes
D. Inguinal nodes
Answer: C
Rationale: These nodes are key in draining lymph from the breast and are critical in detecting
early signs of breast pathology.
4. If a patient reports a recent breast infection, then the nurse should expect to find _____
node enlargement.
A. Bilateral axillary
,B. Supraclavicular
C. Ipsilateral axillary
D. Inguinal
Answer: C
Rationale: Lymph node enlargement typically occurs on the same side as the infection.
5. A 9-year-old girl is in the clinic for a sports physical. After some initial shyness she
finally asks, "Am I normal?"
A. "You are too young to worry about this."
B. "Breasts usually develop after 12 years of age."
C. "You will start menstruating soon."
D. "I understand that it is hard to feel different from your friends. Breasts usually develop
between 8 and 10 years of age."
Answer: D
Rationale: Normal breast development typically begins between 8 and 10 years of age.
6. A patient contacts the office and tells the nurse that she is worried about her 10-year-old
daughter having breast cancer. What would be the nurse's best response?
A. "You should schedule an immediate mammogram."
B. "Breast cancer is common at this age."
C. "It is most likely normal breast development."
D. "You should see an oncologist right away."
Answer: C
Rationale: At age 10, breast development is usually a normal physiological process, not cancer.
7. A 14-year-old girl is anxious about not having reached menarche. The age:
A. Is not relevant
B. She began to develop breasts
C. Should be compared to siblings
D. Means she has delayed growth
Answer: B
Rationale: Onset of menarche usually follows thelarche (breast development), which is a key
indicator of normal puberty timing.
8. Full development from stage 2 to stage 5 takes an average of:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years (range 1.5–6 years)
,D. 5 years
Answer: C
Rationale: Pubertal breast development is gradual and varies widely among individuals.
9. A woman is in the family planning clinic seeking birth control information. She states
that her breasts "change all month long".
A. "This is abnormal and should be investigated."
B. "You may have cysts."
C. "This is only related to pregnancy."
D. Tell her that, because of the changing hormones during the monthly menstrual cycle,
cyclic breast changes are common.
Answer: D
Rationale: Hormonal fluctuations cause temporary changes such as swelling, tenderness, or
nodularity during the cycle.
10. A woman has just learned that she is pregnant. What are some things the nurse should
teach her about her breasts?
A. They will stay the same size.
B. Milk production starts immediately.
C. They should not be touched.
D. She can expect her areolae to become larger and darker in color.
Answer: D
Rationale: Hormonal changes cause the areolae to darken and enlarge in preparation for
breastfeeding.
11. The nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about breast milk. Which is correct?
A. Milk will be thin and white from the start.
B. Milk production starts only after birth.
C. Only colostrum is produced after birth.
D. "You may notice a thick, yellow fluid expressed from your breasts as early as the fourth
month of pregnancy."
Answer: D
Rationale: Colostrum, a nutrient-rich early milk, can be expressed during mid-pregnancy.
12. A 65-year-old patient remarks that she just can't believe that her breasts sag so much.
A. "This is abnormal and needs surgery."
B. "You should use special exercises."
C. "Only young women have firm breasts."
, D. After menopause, the glandular and fat tissue atrophies, causing breast size and
elasticity to diminish, resulting in breasts that sag.
Answer: D
Rationale: Age-related atrophy of breast tissue is normal and expected.
13. In examining a 70-year-old male patient, he has bilateral gynecomastia. Nurse's best
course of action?
A. Ignore it
B. Suggest immediate surgery
C. Explain that this condition may be the result of hormonal changes
D. Advise he start testosterone therapy
Answer: C
Rationale: Gynecomastia in older men is commonly due to hormonal changes and is usually
benign.
14. During an examination of a 7-year-old girl, the nurse notices that the girl is showing
breast budding.
A. Ignore it
B. Tell the parents to wait
C. Advise a mammogram
D. Assess the girl's weight and body mass index (BMI).
Answer: D
Rationale: Breast development can be influenced by body mass, and early assessment ensures
normal growth patterns.
15. The nurse is reviewing statistics regarding breast cancer. Which woman, aged 40 years
in the United States, has the highest risk for development of breast cancer?
A. Asian-American
B. Hispanic
C. White
D. African-American
Answer: D
Rationale: African-American women have a higher incidence of early-onset and aggressive
breast cancer.
16. Which statement is true with regard to breast cancer in African-American women in
the United States?
A. They are less likely to get breast cancer.
EDITION 150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
1. Which of the following statements is true regarding the internal structures of the breast?
The breast is:
A. Only glandular tissue
B. Only adipose tissue
C. Only fibrous tissue
D. Composed of fibrous, glandular, and adipose tissue
Answer: D
Rationale: The breast contains a mixture of fibrous, glandular, and adipose tissue, which
supports structure, milk production, and cushioning.
2. In performing a breast examination, the nurse knows that it is especially important to
examine the upper outer quadrant of the breast. The reason for this is that the upper outer
quadrant is:
A. Less likely to develop lumps
B. Where most breast infections occur
C. The location of most breast tumors
D. The least vascularized area
Answer: C
Rationale: The upper outer quadrant contains the majority of glandular tissue, making it the
most common site for breast tumors.
3. In performing an assessment of a woman's axillary lymph system, the nurse should
assess which of these nodes?
A. Supraclavicular only
B. Axillary only
C. Central, lateral, pectoral, and subscapular nodes
D. Inguinal nodes
Answer: C
Rationale: These nodes are key in draining lymph from the breast and are critical in detecting
early signs of breast pathology.
4. If a patient reports a recent breast infection, then the nurse should expect to find _____
node enlargement.
A. Bilateral axillary
,B. Supraclavicular
C. Ipsilateral axillary
D. Inguinal
Answer: C
Rationale: Lymph node enlargement typically occurs on the same side as the infection.
5. A 9-year-old girl is in the clinic for a sports physical. After some initial shyness she
finally asks, "Am I normal?"
A. "You are too young to worry about this."
B. "Breasts usually develop after 12 years of age."
C. "You will start menstruating soon."
D. "I understand that it is hard to feel different from your friends. Breasts usually develop
between 8 and 10 years of age."
Answer: D
Rationale: Normal breast development typically begins between 8 and 10 years of age.
6. A patient contacts the office and tells the nurse that she is worried about her 10-year-old
daughter having breast cancer. What would be the nurse's best response?
A. "You should schedule an immediate mammogram."
B. "Breast cancer is common at this age."
C. "It is most likely normal breast development."
D. "You should see an oncologist right away."
Answer: C
Rationale: At age 10, breast development is usually a normal physiological process, not cancer.
7. A 14-year-old girl is anxious about not having reached menarche. The age:
A. Is not relevant
B. She began to develop breasts
C. Should be compared to siblings
D. Means she has delayed growth
Answer: B
Rationale: Onset of menarche usually follows thelarche (breast development), which is a key
indicator of normal puberty timing.
8. Full development from stage 2 to stage 5 takes an average of:
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years (range 1.5–6 years)
,D. 5 years
Answer: C
Rationale: Pubertal breast development is gradual and varies widely among individuals.
9. A woman is in the family planning clinic seeking birth control information. She states
that her breasts "change all month long".
A. "This is abnormal and should be investigated."
B. "You may have cysts."
C. "This is only related to pregnancy."
D. Tell her that, because of the changing hormones during the monthly menstrual cycle,
cyclic breast changes are common.
Answer: D
Rationale: Hormonal fluctuations cause temporary changes such as swelling, tenderness, or
nodularity during the cycle.
10. A woman has just learned that she is pregnant. What are some things the nurse should
teach her about her breasts?
A. They will stay the same size.
B. Milk production starts immediately.
C. They should not be touched.
D. She can expect her areolae to become larger and darker in color.
Answer: D
Rationale: Hormonal changes cause the areolae to darken and enlarge in preparation for
breastfeeding.
11. The nurse is teaching a pregnant woman about breast milk. Which is correct?
A. Milk will be thin and white from the start.
B. Milk production starts only after birth.
C. Only colostrum is produced after birth.
D. "You may notice a thick, yellow fluid expressed from your breasts as early as the fourth
month of pregnancy."
Answer: D
Rationale: Colostrum, a nutrient-rich early milk, can be expressed during mid-pregnancy.
12. A 65-year-old patient remarks that she just can't believe that her breasts sag so much.
A. "This is abnormal and needs surgery."
B. "You should use special exercises."
C. "Only young women have firm breasts."
, D. After menopause, the glandular and fat tissue atrophies, causing breast size and
elasticity to diminish, resulting in breasts that sag.
Answer: D
Rationale: Age-related atrophy of breast tissue is normal and expected.
13. In examining a 70-year-old male patient, he has bilateral gynecomastia. Nurse's best
course of action?
A. Ignore it
B. Suggest immediate surgery
C. Explain that this condition may be the result of hormonal changes
D. Advise he start testosterone therapy
Answer: C
Rationale: Gynecomastia in older men is commonly due to hormonal changes and is usually
benign.
14. During an examination of a 7-year-old girl, the nurse notices that the girl is showing
breast budding.
A. Ignore it
B. Tell the parents to wait
C. Advise a mammogram
D. Assess the girl's weight and body mass index (BMI).
Answer: D
Rationale: Breast development can be influenced by body mass, and early assessment ensures
normal growth patterns.
15. The nurse is reviewing statistics regarding breast cancer. Which woman, aged 40 years
in the United States, has the highest risk for development of breast cancer?
A. Asian-American
B. Hispanic
C. White
D. African-American
Answer: D
Rationale: African-American women have a higher incidence of early-onset and aggressive
breast cancer.
16. Which statement is true with regard to breast cancer in African-American women in
the United States?
A. They are less likely to get breast cancer.
