Comprehensive Study 1 Up to Date Content
Breast Cancer Latest Questions and
Graded Answers
1. The nurse teaching a young womens community service
group about breast self-examination (BSE) will include that
a.BSE will reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.
b.BSE should be done daily while taking a bath or shower.
c.annual mammograms should be scheduled in addition to
BSE.
d.performing BSE after the menstrual period is more
comfortable.
Ans: ANS: D
Performing BSE at the end of the menstrual period
will reduce the breast tenderness associated with the
procedure. The evidence is not clear that BSE
reduces mortality from breast cancer. BSE should be
done monthly. Annual mammograms are not
routinely scheduled for women under age 40, and
newer guidelines suggest delaying them until age 50.
2. During a well woman physical exam, a 43-year-old patient
asks about her risk for breast cancer. Which question is most
pertinent for the nurse to ask?
a.Do you currently smoke tobacco?
b.Have you ever had a breast injury?
c.At what age did you start having menstrual periods?
d.Is there a family history of fibrocystic breast changes?
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Ans: ANS: C
Early menarche and late menopause are risk factors
for breast cancer because of the prolonged exposure
to estrogen that occurs. Cigarette smoking, breast
trauma, and fibrocystic breast changes are not
associated with increased breast cancer risk.
3. A 51-year-old patient with a small immobile breast lump is
considering having a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy.
The nurse explains that an advantage to this procedure is that
a.FNA is done in the outpatient clinic and results are
available in 1 to 2 days.
b.only a small incision is needed, resulting in minimal breast
pain and scarring.
c.if the biopsy results are negative, no further diagnostic
testing will be needed.
d.FNA is guided by a mammogram, ensuring that cells are
taken from the lesion.
Ans: ANS: A
FNA is done in outpatient settings and results are
available in 24 to 48 hours. No incision is needed.
FNA may be guided by ultrasound, but not by
mammogram. Because the immobility of the breast
lump suggests cancer, further testing will be done if
the FNA is negative
4. Which assessment finding in a 36-year-old patient is most
indicative of a need for further evaluation?
a.Bilateral breast nodules that are tender with palpation
b.A breast nodule that is 1 cm in size, nontender, and fixed
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c.A breast lump that increases in size before the menstrual
period
d.A breast lump that is small, mobile, with a rubbery
consistency
Ans: ANS: B
Painless and fixed lumps suggest breast cancer. The
other findings are more suggestive of benign
processes such as fibrocystic breasts and
fibroadenoma
5. A 53-year-old woman at menopause is discussing the use
of hormone therapy (HT) with the nurse. Which information
about the risk of breast cancer will the nurse provide?
a.HT is a safe therapy for menopausal symptoms if there is no
family history of BRCA genes.
b.HT does not appear to increase the risk for breast cancer
unless there are other risk factors.
c.The patient and her health care provider must weigh the
benefits of HT against the risks of breast cancer.
d.Natural herbs are as effective as estrogen in relieving
symptoms without increasing the risk of breast cancer.
Ans: ANS: C
Because HT has been linked to increased risk for
breast cancer, the patient and provider must
determine whether or not to use HT. Breast cancer
incidence is increased in women using HT,
independent of other risk factors. HT increases the
risk for both nonBRCA-associated cancer and BRCA-
related cancers. Alternative therapies can be used but
are not consistent in relieving menopausal symptoms
Up to Date Content
Breast Cancer Latest Questions and
Graded Answers
1. The nurse teaching a young womens community service
group about breast self-examination (BSE) will include that
a.BSE will reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.
b.BSE should be done daily while taking a bath or shower.
c.annual mammograms should be scheduled in addition to
BSE.
d.performing BSE after the menstrual period is more
comfortable.
Ans: ANS: D
Performing BSE at the end of the menstrual period
will reduce the breast tenderness associated with the
procedure. The evidence is not clear that BSE
reduces mortality from breast cancer. BSE should be
done monthly. Annual mammograms are not
routinely scheduled for women under age 40, and
newer guidelines suggest delaying them until age 50.
2. During a well woman physical exam, a 43-year-old patient
asks about her risk for breast cancer. Which question is most
pertinent for the nurse to ask?
a.Do you currently smoke tobacco?
b.Have you ever had a breast injury?
c.At what age did you start having menstrual periods?
d.Is there a family history of fibrocystic breast changes?
Up to Date Content
,Comprehensive Study 2 Up to Date Content
Ans: ANS: C
Early menarche and late menopause are risk factors
for breast cancer because of the prolonged exposure
to estrogen that occurs. Cigarette smoking, breast
trauma, and fibrocystic breast changes are not
associated with increased breast cancer risk.
3. A 51-year-old patient with a small immobile breast lump is
considering having a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy.
The nurse explains that an advantage to this procedure is that
a.FNA is done in the outpatient clinic and results are
available in 1 to 2 days.
b.only a small incision is needed, resulting in minimal breast
pain and scarring.
c.if the biopsy results are negative, no further diagnostic
testing will be needed.
d.FNA is guided by a mammogram, ensuring that cells are
taken from the lesion.
Ans: ANS: A
FNA is done in outpatient settings and results are
available in 24 to 48 hours. No incision is needed.
FNA may be guided by ultrasound, but not by
mammogram. Because the immobility of the breast
lump suggests cancer, further testing will be done if
the FNA is negative
4. Which assessment finding in a 36-year-old patient is most
indicative of a need for further evaluation?
a.Bilateral breast nodules that are tender with palpation
b.A breast nodule that is 1 cm in size, nontender, and fixed
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c.A breast lump that increases in size before the menstrual
period
d.A breast lump that is small, mobile, with a rubbery
consistency
Ans: ANS: B
Painless and fixed lumps suggest breast cancer. The
other findings are more suggestive of benign
processes such as fibrocystic breasts and
fibroadenoma
5. A 53-year-old woman at menopause is discussing the use
of hormone therapy (HT) with the nurse. Which information
about the risk of breast cancer will the nurse provide?
a.HT is a safe therapy for menopausal symptoms if there is no
family history of BRCA genes.
b.HT does not appear to increase the risk for breast cancer
unless there are other risk factors.
c.The patient and her health care provider must weigh the
benefits of HT against the risks of breast cancer.
d.Natural herbs are as effective as estrogen in relieving
symptoms without increasing the risk of breast cancer.
Ans: ANS: C
Because HT has been linked to increased risk for
breast cancer, the patient and provider must
determine whether or not to use HT. Breast cancer
incidence is increased in women using HT,
independent of other risk factors. HT increases the
risk for both nonBRCA-associated cancer and BRCA-
related cancers. Alternative therapies can be used but
are not consistent in relieving menopausal symptoms
Up to Date Content
