Test Bank For Plastic Surgery: Volume 5,
5th Edition
Author :
Peter C. Neligan
,Chapter 1: Preoperative Assessment and Planning of the Aesthetic Breast Patient
1. Which of the following is the most important step in preoperative assessment of an
aesthetic breast surgery patient?
A) Evaluating the patient’s emotional health
B) Assessing the patient’s physical health
C) Gathering the patient’s family history
D) Determining the patient’s aesthetic goals
Answer: B) Assessing the patient’s physical health
Rationale: The most critical aspect of preoperative assessment is ensuring that the patient is
physically fit for surgery. This includes reviewing medical history, conducting physical
examinations, and identifying risk factors such as cardiovascular or respiratory conditions that
may impact the surgical procedure or recovery.
2. Which of the following should be included in the preoperative evaluation of a
patient undergoing breast augmentation?
A) Comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s facial aesthetics
B) Measurement of the patient’s breast asymmetry
C) Documentation of the patient's hair color
D) Recording the patient’s family history of breast cancer
Answer: B) Measurement of the patient’s breast asymmetry
Rationale: The preoperative evaluation should focus on specific aspects of the breast, including
asymmetry, breast volume, shape, and skin quality. Identifying any asymmetry is crucial for
planning an aesthetically pleasing result.
3. Which of the following conditions would be an absolute contraindication to breast
augmentation surgery?
A) Pregnancy
B) History of asthma
C) History of breast cancer
D) Hypertension
Answer: A) Pregnancy
Rationale: Breast augmentation surgery is not recommended during pregnancy due to potential
risks for the developing fetus, hormonal fluctuations, and the fact that the breasts may change
during this time, making preoperative planning difficult.
4. A 30-year-old patient is requesting breast augmentation. She has a history of a
previous breast infection. What is the most appropriate action?
A) Proceed with surgery as long as the infection has resolved
B) Delay surgery until the patient has been infection-free for a minimum of six months
C) Discuss the possibility of a breast lift instead of augmentation
D) Recommend that the patient undergoes a breast biopsy before surgery
,Answer: B) Delay surgery until the patient has been infection-free for a minimum of six
months
Rationale: A history of breast infection requires a cautious approach. It is important to ensure
that the infection has resolved completely before performing any elective surgery to reduce the
risk of recurrence or complications.
5. Which of the following is a common complication after breast augmentation
surgery?
A) Breast cancer
B) Infection
C) Hemorrhoids
D) Pneumonia
Answer: B) Infection
Rationale: Infection is a common complication after breast augmentation, as with any surgical
procedure. Proper aseptic technique and post-operative care, including antibiotics, are essential
for minimizing the risk.
6. What is the primary purpose of obtaining a preoperative mammogram in a patient
seeking aesthetic breast surgery?
A) To assess for breast cancer
B) To evaluate the size of the breasts
C) To detect any underlying breast deformities
D) To ensure that the patient has adequate breast tissue for the surgery
Answer: A) To assess for breast cancer
Rationale: A preoperative mammogram is often recommended, especially for women over the
age of 40 or those with a family history of breast cancer. The goal is to rule out any existing
malignancies before proceeding with surgery.
7. Which of the following factors is most important when selecting the type of breast
implant for a patient?
A) The patient's body mass index (BMI)
B) The patient’s aesthetic goals and preferences
C) The patient's history of smoking
D) The patient's age
Answer: B) The patient’s aesthetic goals and preferences
Rationale: The choice of implant type (saline vs. silicone, round vs. teardrop) should be based
on the patient's aesthetic preferences, breast anatomy, and desired outcome. Other factors like
BMI and smoking history may influence the surgical decision, but aesthetic goals are paramount.
8. Which of the following is a key consideration when planning for a patient
undergoing breast lift surgery (mastopexy)?
A) Assessing the patient's breast tissue elasticity
B) Determining the patient's breast size goals
, C) Understanding the patient’s emotional response to the procedure
D) Evaluating the patient’s weight loss history
Answer: A) Assessing the patient's breast tissue elasticity
Rationale: The success of a breast lift procedure depends heavily on the quality of the skin and
breast tissue. Patients with poor skin elasticity may not achieve optimal results, which should be
discussed during preoperative counseling.
9. What should be considered when evaluating the patient’s emotional readiness for
aesthetic breast surgery?
A) The patient's occupation
B) The patient’s psychological history, including any history of body dysmorphia
C) The patient’s family support system
D) The patient’s age and fitness level
Answer: B) The patient’s psychological history, including any history of body dysmorphia
Rationale: Psychological factors, such as body dysmorphia or unrealistic expectations, are
crucial to assess in the preoperative evaluation. Addressing emotional readiness ensures that the
patient has a realistic understanding of the potential outcomes.
10. Which of the following is a common recommendation for patients to follow in the
week prior to aesthetic breast surgery?
A) Stop taking all medications
B) Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
C) Fast for 24 hours before the surgery
D) Begin taking vitamin C supplements
Answer: B) Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
Rationale: Smoking and alcohol can increase the risk of complications such as poor wound
healing, infection, and blood clots. Patients are advised to cease these habits for at least one to
two weeks prior to surgery to minimize risks.
11. Which of the following should be avoided in the preoperative period for patients
undergoing aesthetic breast surgery?
A) Aspirin or other blood-thinning medications
B) Multivitamins
C) Vitamin D supplements
D) Low-dose antibiotics
Answer: A) Aspirin or other blood-thinning medications
Rationale: Blood-thinning medications like aspirin should be avoided before surgery to reduce
the risk of excessive bleeding during the procedure. Other supplements are typically not
contraindicated unless advised by the physician.
12. What is the role of the nurse in the preoperative assessment of a patient undergoing
breast surgery?
5th Edition
Author :
Peter C. Neligan
,Chapter 1: Preoperative Assessment and Planning of the Aesthetic Breast Patient
1. Which of the following is the most important step in preoperative assessment of an
aesthetic breast surgery patient?
A) Evaluating the patient’s emotional health
B) Assessing the patient’s physical health
C) Gathering the patient’s family history
D) Determining the patient’s aesthetic goals
Answer: B) Assessing the patient’s physical health
Rationale: The most critical aspect of preoperative assessment is ensuring that the patient is
physically fit for surgery. This includes reviewing medical history, conducting physical
examinations, and identifying risk factors such as cardiovascular or respiratory conditions that
may impact the surgical procedure or recovery.
2. Which of the following should be included in the preoperative evaluation of a
patient undergoing breast augmentation?
A) Comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s facial aesthetics
B) Measurement of the patient’s breast asymmetry
C) Documentation of the patient's hair color
D) Recording the patient’s family history of breast cancer
Answer: B) Measurement of the patient’s breast asymmetry
Rationale: The preoperative evaluation should focus on specific aspects of the breast, including
asymmetry, breast volume, shape, and skin quality. Identifying any asymmetry is crucial for
planning an aesthetically pleasing result.
3. Which of the following conditions would be an absolute contraindication to breast
augmentation surgery?
A) Pregnancy
B) History of asthma
C) History of breast cancer
D) Hypertension
Answer: A) Pregnancy
Rationale: Breast augmentation surgery is not recommended during pregnancy due to potential
risks for the developing fetus, hormonal fluctuations, and the fact that the breasts may change
during this time, making preoperative planning difficult.
4. A 30-year-old patient is requesting breast augmentation. She has a history of a
previous breast infection. What is the most appropriate action?
A) Proceed with surgery as long as the infection has resolved
B) Delay surgery until the patient has been infection-free for a minimum of six months
C) Discuss the possibility of a breast lift instead of augmentation
D) Recommend that the patient undergoes a breast biopsy before surgery
,Answer: B) Delay surgery until the patient has been infection-free for a minimum of six
months
Rationale: A history of breast infection requires a cautious approach. It is important to ensure
that the infection has resolved completely before performing any elective surgery to reduce the
risk of recurrence or complications.
5. Which of the following is a common complication after breast augmentation
surgery?
A) Breast cancer
B) Infection
C) Hemorrhoids
D) Pneumonia
Answer: B) Infection
Rationale: Infection is a common complication after breast augmentation, as with any surgical
procedure. Proper aseptic technique and post-operative care, including antibiotics, are essential
for minimizing the risk.
6. What is the primary purpose of obtaining a preoperative mammogram in a patient
seeking aesthetic breast surgery?
A) To assess for breast cancer
B) To evaluate the size of the breasts
C) To detect any underlying breast deformities
D) To ensure that the patient has adequate breast tissue for the surgery
Answer: A) To assess for breast cancer
Rationale: A preoperative mammogram is often recommended, especially for women over the
age of 40 or those with a family history of breast cancer. The goal is to rule out any existing
malignancies before proceeding with surgery.
7. Which of the following factors is most important when selecting the type of breast
implant for a patient?
A) The patient's body mass index (BMI)
B) The patient’s aesthetic goals and preferences
C) The patient's history of smoking
D) The patient's age
Answer: B) The patient’s aesthetic goals and preferences
Rationale: The choice of implant type (saline vs. silicone, round vs. teardrop) should be based
on the patient's aesthetic preferences, breast anatomy, and desired outcome. Other factors like
BMI and smoking history may influence the surgical decision, but aesthetic goals are paramount.
8. Which of the following is a key consideration when planning for a patient
undergoing breast lift surgery (mastopexy)?
A) Assessing the patient's breast tissue elasticity
B) Determining the patient's breast size goals
, C) Understanding the patient’s emotional response to the procedure
D) Evaluating the patient’s weight loss history
Answer: A) Assessing the patient's breast tissue elasticity
Rationale: The success of a breast lift procedure depends heavily on the quality of the skin and
breast tissue. Patients with poor skin elasticity may not achieve optimal results, which should be
discussed during preoperative counseling.
9. What should be considered when evaluating the patient’s emotional readiness for
aesthetic breast surgery?
A) The patient's occupation
B) The patient’s psychological history, including any history of body dysmorphia
C) The patient’s family support system
D) The patient’s age and fitness level
Answer: B) The patient’s psychological history, including any history of body dysmorphia
Rationale: Psychological factors, such as body dysmorphia or unrealistic expectations, are
crucial to assess in the preoperative evaluation. Addressing emotional readiness ensures that the
patient has a realistic understanding of the potential outcomes.
10. Which of the following is a common recommendation for patients to follow in the
week prior to aesthetic breast surgery?
A) Stop taking all medications
B) Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
C) Fast for 24 hours before the surgery
D) Begin taking vitamin C supplements
Answer: B) Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
Rationale: Smoking and alcohol can increase the risk of complications such as poor wound
healing, infection, and blood clots. Patients are advised to cease these habits for at least one to
two weeks prior to surgery to minimize risks.
11. Which of the following should be avoided in the preoperative period for patients
undergoing aesthetic breast surgery?
A) Aspirin or other blood-thinning medications
B) Multivitamins
C) Vitamin D supplements
D) Low-dose antibiotics
Answer: A) Aspirin or other blood-thinning medications
Rationale: Blood-thinning medications like aspirin should be avoided before surgery to reduce
the risk of excessive bleeding during the procedure. Other supplements are typically not
contraindicated unless advised by the physician.
12. What is the role of the nurse in the preoperative assessment of a patient undergoing
breast surgery?
