Breast Cancer Questions PDF

What is the recommended post-operative exercise regimen for patients recovering from breast cancer surgery? A\) High-intensity aerobic workouts B\) Complete bed rest for at least 6 weeks C\) Gentle, low-impact exercises such as walking and stretching D\) Weightlifting and strength training immed...

What is the recommended post-operative exercise regimen for patients recovering from breast cancer surgery? A\) High-intensity aerobic workouts B\) Complete bed rest for at least 6 weeks C\) Gentle, low-impact exercises such as walking and stretching D\) Weightlifting and strength training immediately after surgery Rationale: Option C is the correct answer. Gentle, low-impact exercises help improve circulation, reduce swelling, and prevent stiffness without straining the surgical site. High-intensity exercises and bed rest are not recommended as they can lead to complications, and weightlifting should be introduced gradually and under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Which complication should be closely monitored for in patients recovering from breast cancer surgery involving lymph node removal? A\) Increased energy levels B\) Lymphedema C\) Rapid weight loss D\) Enhanced immune function Rationale: Option B is the correct answer. Lymphedema is a common complication after lymph node removal during breast cancer surgery. It involves swelling in the arm or chest on the side of surgery and should be closely monitored. Options A, C, and D are not directly related to this surgical complication. What dietary recommendation is commonly provided to breast cancer surgery patients during recovery to support healing and overall health? A\) High-sugar diet for energy B\) Low-protein diet to prevent complications C\) Balanced diet rich in antioxidants and nutrients D\) Fasting to cleanse the body Rationale: Option C is the correct answer. A balanced diet rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients is commonly recommended to support healing and overall health during recovery from breast cancer surgery. High-sugar diets, low-protein diets, and fasting are not appropriate recommendations. Which post-operative symptom in breast cancer surgery patients should prompt immediate medical attention due to its potential severity? A\) Mild pain at the surgical site B\) Slight redness and warmth around the incision C\) High fever and signs of infection D\) Temporary numbness in the breast area Rationale: Option C is the correct answer. High fever and signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, and discharge around the incision, should always prompt immediate medical attention as they can indicate a serious post-operative complication. Mild pain, slight redness, and temporary numbness are often expected during the recovery process but should still be discussed with healthcare providers. What is the primary treatment approach for triple-negative breast cancer? A\) Hormone therapy B\) Targeted therapy against HER2 C\) Surgery and chemotherapy D\) Radiation therapy alone Rationale: Option C is the correct answer. The primary treatment approach for TNBC involves surgery (such as mastectomy or lumpectomy) followed by chemotherapy. Unlike other breast cancer subtypes, hormone therapy and targeted therapy are not effective for TNBC due to the lack of hormone receptor expression. Which potential side effect should be closely monitored in a patient with triple-negative breast cancer receiving chemotherapy? A\) Hyperthyroidism B\) Cardiac arrhythmias C\) Osteoporosis D\) Neutropenia Rationale: Option D is the correct answer. Neutropenia (low white blood cell count) is a common side effect of chemotherapy and can lead to an increased risk of infections. Patients with TNBC undergoing chemotherapy should be closely monitored for neutropenia. Options A, B, and C are not typically associated with chemotherapy for TNBC. Which genetic mutation is often associated with an increased risk of triple-negative breast cancer? A\) BRCA1 (Breast Cancer 1) B\) EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) C\) KRAS (Kirsten Rat Sarcoma) D\) APC (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli) Rationale: Option A is the correct answer. Mutations in the BRCA1 gene are known to increase the risk of developing TNBC. Women with BRCA1 mutations have a higher likelihood of developing this subtype of breast cancer. Options B, C, and D are not specifically associated with TNBC. A patient with TNBC is experiencing a recurrence after initial treatment with surgery and chemotherapy. Which treatment approach is most likely to be considered in this situation? A\) Hormone therapy B\) Targeted therapy against HER2 C\) Radiation therapy D\) Salvage chemotherapy Rationale: Option D is the correct answer. In cases of TNBC recurrence, salvage chemotherapy is often considered as a treatment option. Hormone therapy and targeted therapy against HER2 are not effective because TNBC lacks these receptors. Radiation therapy may be used for localized recurrence but is not typically a standalone treatment for recurrent TNBC. A patient with breast cancer has tumors that are positive for both estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). What is the most appropriate treatment option for this patient? A\) Chemotherapy B\) Radiation therapy C\) Hormone therapy D\) Targeted therapy Rationale: Option C is the correct answer. In the case of tumors positive for both ER and PR, hormone therapy is often the primary treatment choice. These receptors indicate that the tumor is likely to respond to hormone therapy, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy are typically used in different situations or breast cancer subtypes. A nurse is assessing a patient after a mastectomy and notes an increase in wound drainage and foul odor from the surgical site. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take? A\) Document the findings and continue routine care. B\) Notify the healthcare provider immediately. C\) Apply a sterile dressing to the surgical site. D\) Administer an analgesic to the patient. Rationale: The correct answer is B) \"Notify the healthcare provider immediately.\" An increase in wound drainage with a foul odor may indicate an infection or other complications, requiring prompt notification of the healthcare provider for further evaluation and intervention. A nurse is providing emotional support to a patient who is distressed about body image after a mastectomy. What intervention should the nurse prioritize? A\) Provide information about prosthetic breast options. B\) Encourage the patient to avoid discussing their feelings with others. C\) Dismiss the patient\'s concerns as common post-operative emotions. D\) Recommend counseling or support groups for body image issues. Rationale: The correct answer is D) \"Recommend counseling or support groups for body image issues.\" This response acknowledges the patient\'s emotional needs and suggests a valuable resource for addressing body image concerns after a mastectomy. A patient who underwent a modified radical mastectomy asks about the potential long-term complications. Which of the following complications should the nurse prioritize in the response? A\) Delayed wound healing. B\) Lymphedema. C\) Seroma formation. D\) Skin necrosis. Rationale: The correct answer is B) Lymphedema. While all options can be complications following a mastectomy, lymphedema is a more severe and long-term concern, as it involves the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the affected limb, potentially causing chronic swelling and discomfort. A 28-year-old female presents with a breast lump that is mobile, smooth, and tender to touch. What is the most likely benign breast disorder? a\. Fibrocystic changes b\. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) c\. Inflammatory breast cancer d\. Phyllodes tumor Rationale: a. Fibrocystic changes are characterized by cyclic breast pain and tenderness, often accompanied by benign cysts and fibrous tissue. This patient\'s clinical presentation aligns with fibrocystic changes. A 45-year-old woman has noticed nipple discharge from one breast, which is milky in color. What is the most likely cause of this nipple discharge? a\. Fibrocystic changes b\. Intraductal papilloma c\. Inflammatory breast cancer d\. Fibroadenoma Rationale: b. Intraductal papillomas are a common cause of nipple discharge, typically presenting as a single duct involvement with milky or bloody discharge. The other options are less commonly associated with nipple discharge. A 35-year-old woman presents with a palpable, painless, well-defined breast mass that seems to change in size during her menstrual cycle. What is the most likely diagnosis? a\. Intraductal papilloma b\. Fibroadenoma c\. Atypical hyperplasia d\. Inflammatory breast cancer Rationale: b. Fibroadenomas are common benign breast tumors that often change in size and are hormonally responsive. They typically present as a painless, well-defined mass. A 50-year-old woman is diagnosed with a breast lesion after a mammogram and biopsy. Histology reveals abnormal proliferation of epithelial cells within the ducts, but they have not invaded the surrounding tissue. What is the most likely diagnosis? a\. Invasive ductal carcinoma b\. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) c\. Fibroadenoma d\. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) Rationale: b. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) refers to abnormal cell growth within the breast ducts without invasion into the surrounding tissue. It is considered a non-invasive, pre-malignant condition. Which hormone receptor status is most commonly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence and resistance to hormonal therapy? a\. Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) b\. Progesterone receptor-positive (PR+) c\. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) d\. Triple-negative (ER-, PR-, HER2-) Rationale: c. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancers are associated with a more aggressive course, increased risk of recurrence, and resistance to hormonal therapies. A 40-year-old woman has a strong family history of breast cancer, with her mother and maternal aunt both diagnosed at a young age. She asks about her options for breast cancer risk reduction. What should the nurse recommend? a\. Annual mammograms starting at age 45 b\. Genetic counseling and testing for BRCA mutations c\. Regular breast self-exams d\. Initiating hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Rationale: b. Given the strong family history of breast cancer, genetic counseling and testing for BRCA mutations should be recommended to assess the patient\'s genetic risk and explore risk-reduction strategies. A 30-year-old woman with no family history of breast cancer presents with breast discomfort and requests genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. What is the nurse\'s most appropriate response? a\. \"Genetic testing is not recommended for you because you have no family history of breast cancer.\" b\. \"Genetic testing may be considered, but it\'s typically not performed until age 40 or later.\" c\. \"Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is appropriate for all women regardless of family history.\" d\. \"Genetic testing is indicated for you since you are concerned about your risk.\" Rationale: a. Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is generally recommended for individuals with a strong family history of breast cancer or other associated risk factors. In this case, with no family history, it may not be indicated at this time.