PHYSIOLOGY DI EXAM 3 | COMPLETE
STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,review of systems for breasts Pain
Masses
Nipple discharge
Last mammogram
Self-breast exams?
Last clinical breast exam during a wellness screening
breast lump or mass palpable lumps or nodularity
can be physiologic or pathologic
identify location, duration, pain/tenderness
visible signs of breast cancer -retraction of nipples
-dimpling of skin
-abnormal contours
-edema of skin "peau d'orange sign"
-scaly lesion "paget disease of the nipple"
signs of pathologic nipple discharge bloody
serous
unilateral
spontaneous
associated with a mass
age >40
best time to perform breast exam 1 week after menses
inspection of breasts inspect breasts and nipples with patient in sitting position
perform exam in 4 views:
arms at sides, arms overhead, hands pressed against hips, and leaning forward
Peau d'orange orange peel appearance of breast due to edema
often from cancer
,paget disease of breast red, scaly, crust patch on nipple
surface manifestation of underlying ductal cancer
dimpling of breast mass pulling on suspensory ligament of cooper
sign of cancer
can nipple inversion be normal? can be a lifetime finding
(if new, suspect malignancy)
supernumerary nipple minute extra nipple along the embryonic milk line
montgomery tubercles Enlarged sebaceous glands in areola on both breasts
normal
palpation of the axilla Support patient's arm; palpate for lumps along axilla
begin behind pectoral muscle
use box method
abnormal lymph nodes larger than 1-2 cm
hard
fixed lymph nodes
+/- tender
, palpation of axilla and breast supine position
patient places arms over head
use pads of 2nd and 3rd and 4th fingers
4 quadrants + tail of spence
inspect and palpate nipple
where do most breast cancers occur? upper outer quadrant (tail of spence)
most accurate breast examination technique vertical strips
a good breast exam takes how long? 3 min each side
tenderness in the breast is normal when? prior to menses
if a nodule is found on the breast what should be noted? • Location- by quadrant or clockface
• Size in cm
• Consistency- soft, firm, hard
• Delimitation- well circumscribed or not
• Tenderness
• Mobility
median age of menarche 12-13 years
normal interval between cycles 24-32 days
menstrual flow length 3-7 days
obtaining a menstrual history • Ask patient their age at menarche
• Ask when last menstrual period (LMP) occurred
• How often does the patient have periods?
• Are they regular or irregular?
• How long do they last?
• How heavy is the flow normally?
Get DETAILS. How many menstrual products per day? What type?
• Is it lighter or heavier than usual?
• Any bleeding between periods or after sexual intercourse
polymenorrhea more than normal frequency of menses
STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,review of systems for breasts Pain
Masses
Nipple discharge
Last mammogram
Self-breast exams?
Last clinical breast exam during a wellness screening
breast lump or mass palpable lumps or nodularity
can be physiologic or pathologic
identify location, duration, pain/tenderness
visible signs of breast cancer -retraction of nipples
-dimpling of skin
-abnormal contours
-edema of skin "peau d'orange sign"
-scaly lesion "paget disease of the nipple"
signs of pathologic nipple discharge bloody
serous
unilateral
spontaneous
associated with a mass
age >40
best time to perform breast exam 1 week after menses
inspection of breasts inspect breasts and nipples with patient in sitting position
perform exam in 4 views:
arms at sides, arms overhead, hands pressed against hips, and leaning forward
Peau d'orange orange peel appearance of breast due to edema
often from cancer
,paget disease of breast red, scaly, crust patch on nipple
surface manifestation of underlying ductal cancer
dimpling of breast mass pulling on suspensory ligament of cooper
sign of cancer
can nipple inversion be normal? can be a lifetime finding
(if new, suspect malignancy)
supernumerary nipple minute extra nipple along the embryonic milk line
montgomery tubercles Enlarged sebaceous glands in areola on both breasts
normal
palpation of the axilla Support patient's arm; palpate for lumps along axilla
begin behind pectoral muscle
use box method
abnormal lymph nodes larger than 1-2 cm
hard
fixed lymph nodes
+/- tender
, palpation of axilla and breast supine position
patient places arms over head
use pads of 2nd and 3rd and 4th fingers
4 quadrants + tail of spence
inspect and palpate nipple
where do most breast cancers occur? upper outer quadrant (tail of spence)
most accurate breast examination technique vertical strips
a good breast exam takes how long? 3 min each side
tenderness in the breast is normal when? prior to menses
if a nodule is found on the breast what should be noted? • Location- by quadrant or clockface
• Size in cm
• Consistency- soft, firm, hard
• Delimitation- well circumscribed or not
• Tenderness
• Mobility
median age of menarche 12-13 years
normal interval between cycles 24-32 days
menstrual flow length 3-7 days
obtaining a menstrual history • Ask patient their age at menarche
• Ask when last menstrual period (LMP) occurred
• How often does the patient have periods?
• Are they regular or irregular?
• How long do they last?
• How heavy is the flow normally?
Get DETAILS. How many menstrual products per day? What type?
• Is it lighter or heavier than usual?
• Any bleeding between periods or after sexual intercourse
polymenorrhea more than normal frequency of menses
