While the nurse is counseling a client about fibrocystic breast disease, the client asks if having this disorder will lead to cancer. The nurse's best response is:

Question

1. "There is no direct link between this disease and breast cancer.".
2. "You will need to ask the primary healthcare provider that question.".
3. "This disease is a form of cancer.".
4. "Why are you so worried about this?"

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: This is the most appropriate response since research indicates that no direct link has been found between fibrocystic disease and breast cancer. However, the primary health care provider will want to monitor the client with fibrocystic breast disease because some clients with the disease develop ductal hyperplasia and dysplasia, which may eventually develop into noninvasive intraductal, lobular, or intraepithelial carcinoma.
Rationale 2: "You will need to ask the primary care provider that question" is inappropriate because this statement does not address the client's question.
Rationale 3: Fibrocystic breast disease is a thickening of the normal breast tissue, which may be accompanied by cyst formation. The statement "This disease is a form of cancer" is incorrect.
Rationale 4: "Why are you so worried about this?" is not an appropriate statement as it disregards the client's feelings.