ASSESSMENT
A patient presents with a painless breast lump. What is the priority concern?
Possible breast cancer.
What is the gold standard for diagnosing breast cancer?
Biopsy.
What is the mechanism of action of Tamoxifen?
Blocks estrogen receptors in breast tissue.
What is the most common complication after lymph node removal?
Lymphedema.
Why should BP and IVs be avoided in the affected arm post-mastectomy?
Risk of lymphedema.
What breast change is most concerning for malignancy: pain or a painless mass?
Painless mass.
What is the priority education for early detection of breast cancer?
Regular mammograms and breast self-awareness.
Blocks estrogen receptors in breast tissue.
To slow growth of estrogen receptor-positive tumors.
Why are chemotherapy patients at high risk for infection?
Bone marrow suppression → decreased WBCs.
Why is early detection of breast cancer critical?
Improves survival rates.
A patient has dimpling of the breast skin. What does this indicate?
Tumor invasion causing skin retraction.
A patient is post-mastectomy. What is the priority nursing intervention?
Prevent lymphedema (avoid BP, IVs, blood draws on affected arm).
A patient receiving Doxorubicin requires monitoring of which organ system?
Cardiac (risk of cardiotoxicity).
What is neutropenia?
Low neutrophil count, increasing infection risk.
A patient asks why hair loss occurs during chemotherapy. What is the best explanation?
Chemo targets rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicles.
A patient presents with nipple retraction and discharge. What should the nurse suspect?
Breast cancer.
Why should the affected arm be elevated after mastectomy?
To reduce swelling and promote lymph drainage.
Why is Ondansetron given during chemotherapy?
To prevent nausea and vomiting.
Why must patients avoid crowds during chemotherapy?
Increased infection risk due to immunosuppression.
Why is fatigue common in cancer patients?
Treatment effects and decreased red blood cell production.
A patient has redness, warmth, and swelling of the breast resembling infection. What type of breast cancer is suspected?
Inflammatory breast cancer.
A patient develops swelling of the arm after lymph node removal. What complication is this?
Lymphedema.
A patient receiving Filgrastim — what is the purpose?
Stimulate white blood cell production to reduce infection risk.
A patient develops fever during chemotherapy. What is the priority action?
Treat as emergency — possible neutropenic fever.
A patient asks why they must report signs of infection immediately. What is the best response?
Their immune system is weakened, and infections can become life-threatening quickly.