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Student Note-Taking Guide: Female Reproductive System Disorders
Introduction
Breast disorders, whether benign or malignant, are among the most common health issues
affecting women. Nurses must be able to differentiate between normal and abnormal breast
findings, educate on self-awareness, and provide care throughout screening, diagnosis, and
treatment.
• Socratic Question: How can nurses distinguish between benign and malignant breast
conditions during assessment, and what role does patient education play?
o By utilizing careful assessment, clear communication, and patient education,
nurses can help distinguish between benign and malignant breast conditions while
providing the support and information needed to navigate the next steps in
diagnosis and care.
1. Breast Disorders and Breast Cancer
• Normal Breast Findings:
o Slight asymmetry between breasts
o Firm, non-tender consistency
o No dimpling skin changes or nipple discharge
o Nipples pointing outward unless newly inverted
• Abnormal Findings:
o Retraction: dimpling, nipple inversion, altered contour
o Peau d’Or Ange: Orange peel appearance from lymphatic obstruction
o Palpable masses: Hard, fixed, irregularly shaped
o Nipple discharge: Spontaneous, bloody, or unilateral
• Breast Self-Examination (BSE):
o Timing: 5-7 days after menses
o Position: Standing and lying down
o Technique: Pads of 3 fingers, circular motion, include tail of Spence
• Signs of Mastitis:
, 2
o Redness and warmth
o Swelling, tenderness, nipple cracking
o Systemic signs: fever increased HR
• Mammography Guidelines:
o Ages 40–44: optional annual mammograms
o Ages 45–54: annual mammograms
o Ages 55+: Every 1-2 years based on preference
• High Risk Patients:
o May need earlier, more frequent screenings
o Annual MRI recommended
• Hormone Therapy:
o Decreases bone resorption but increases breast cancer risk
o Bone health: Encourage weight-bearing exercise, calcium & vitamin D
• Clinical Example: A postpartum woman presents with tenderness and redness in one
breast, fever, and difficulty nursing. The nurse suspects mastitis and encourages
continued breastfeeding.
• Socratic Question: How should a nurse educate a patient with dense breast tissue about
the limitations of mammography?
o By providing clear, compassionate, and evidence-based education, nurses can
help patients with dense breast tissue make informed decisions about their breast
health and navigate any concerns about mammography limitations.
2. Female Reproductive Cancers
• Cervical Cancer:
o Caused by high-risk HPV (types 16, 18)
o Signs: Postcoital bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, pelvic pain
o Diagnosis: Pap smear, HPV testing, biopsy
• Endometrial Cancer:
o Hallmark sign: postmenopausal bleeding
, 3
o Risk factors: obesity unopposed estrogen, diabetes, HTN
o Diagnosis: endometrial biopsy
• Ovarian Cancer:
o Symptoms: Bloating, early satiety, urinary urgency
o High mortality due to late detection
o Marker: CA-125; Imaging: transvaginal ultrasound or CT scan
• Vulvar & Vaginal Cancers:
o Vulvar: Persistent itching, pain, lesions
o Vaginal: Rare, linked to diethylstilbestrol exposure
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID):
o Infection of the upper reproductive tract
o Causes: chlamydia & gonorrhea infections
o Symptoms: lower abdominal pain, discharge, cervical motion tenderness
o Treatment: broad-spectrum antibiotics
• Clinical Example: A 23-year-old with pelvic pain and discharge is diagnosed with pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID). The nurse initiates antibiotics and STI education.
• Socratic Question: How should nurses support cervical cancer patients through radiation
treatment while addressing emotional and physical health?
o By offering patient-centered care that combines emotional support, education,
symptom management, and collaboration with the healthcare team, nurses can
significantly enhance the experience of cervical cancer patients during radiation
treatment.
3. Common Reproductive Disorders
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS):
o Occurs in the luteal phase, resolves with menstruation
o Physical: breast tenderness, bloating, headaches
o Emotional: mood swings, irritability, depression
Student Note-Taking Guide: Female Reproductive System Disorders
Introduction
Breast disorders, whether benign or malignant, are among the most common health issues
affecting women. Nurses must be able to differentiate between normal and abnormal breast
findings, educate on self-awareness, and provide care throughout screening, diagnosis, and
treatment.
• Socratic Question: How can nurses distinguish between benign and malignant breast
conditions during assessment, and what role does patient education play?
o By utilizing careful assessment, clear communication, and patient education,
nurses can help distinguish between benign and malignant breast conditions while
providing the support and information needed to navigate the next steps in
diagnosis and care.
1. Breast Disorders and Breast Cancer
• Normal Breast Findings:
o Slight asymmetry between breasts
o Firm, non-tender consistency
o No dimpling skin changes or nipple discharge
o Nipples pointing outward unless newly inverted
• Abnormal Findings:
o Retraction: dimpling, nipple inversion, altered contour
o Peau d’Or Ange: Orange peel appearance from lymphatic obstruction
o Palpable masses: Hard, fixed, irregularly shaped
o Nipple discharge: Spontaneous, bloody, or unilateral
• Breast Self-Examination (BSE):
o Timing: 5-7 days after menses
o Position: Standing and lying down
o Technique: Pads of 3 fingers, circular motion, include tail of Spence
• Signs of Mastitis:
, 2
o Redness and warmth
o Swelling, tenderness, nipple cracking
o Systemic signs: fever increased HR
• Mammography Guidelines:
o Ages 40–44: optional annual mammograms
o Ages 45–54: annual mammograms
o Ages 55+: Every 1-2 years based on preference
• High Risk Patients:
o May need earlier, more frequent screenings
o Annual MRI recommended
• Hormone Therapy:
o Decreases bone resorption but increases breast cancer risk
o Bone health: Encourage weight-bearing exercise, calcium & vitamin D
• Clinical Example: A postpartum woman presents with tenderness and redness in one
breast, fever, and difficulty nursing. The nurse suspects mastitis and encourages
continued breastfeeding.
• Socratic Question: How should a nurse educate a patient with dense breast tissue about
the limitations of mammography?
o By providing clear, compassionate, and evidence-based education, nurses can
help patients with dense breast tissue make informed decisions about their breast
health and navigate any concerns about mammography limitations.
2. Female Reproductive Cancers
• Cervical Cancer:
o Caused by high-risk HPV (types 16, 18)
o Signs: Postcoital bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, pelvic pain
o Diagnosis: Pap smear, HPV testing, biopsy
• Endometrial Cancer:
o Hallmark sign: postmenopausal bleeding
, 3
o Risk factors: obesity unopposed estrogen, diabetes, HTN
o Diagnosis: endometrial biopsy
• Ovarian Cancer:
o Symptoms: Bloating, early satiety, urinary urgency
o High mortality due to late detection
o Marker: CA-125; Imaging: transvaginal ultrasound or CT scan
• Vulvar & Vaginal Cancers:
o Vulvar: Persistent itching, pain, lesions
o Vaginal: Rare, linked to diethylstilbestrol exposure
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID):
o Infection of the upper reproductive tract
o Causes: chlamydia & gonorrhea infections
o Symptoms: lower abdominal pain, discharge, cervical motion tenderness
o Treatment: broad-spectrum antibiotics
• Clinical Example: A 23-year-old with pelvic pain and discharge is diagnosed with pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID). The nurse initiates antibiotics and STI education.
• Socratic Question: How should nurses support cervical cancer patients through radiation
treatment while addressing emotional and physical health?
o By offering patient-centered care that combines emotional support, education,
symptom management, and collaboration with the healthcare team, nurses can
significantly enhance the experience of cervical cancer patients during radiation
treatment.
3. Common Reproductive Disorders
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS):
o Occurs in the luteal phase, resolves with menstruation
o Physical: breast tenderness, bloating, headaches
o Emotional: mood swings, irritability, depression
