A teen patient is tearful and reports locating lumps in her breasts. Other history obtained is that she is currently menstruating. Physical examination reveals soft and movable cysts in both breasts that are painful to palpation

Question

The nurse also notes that the patient's nipples are erect, but the areolae are wrinkled. The next nursing step is which of the following?
a. Reassure patient that her symptoms are normal.
b. Consult a breast surgeon because of the abnormal nipples and areolae.
c. Discuss fibrocystic disease as the likely cause.
d. Tell the patient that the symptoms may get worse when her period ends.

Answer 1

ANS: C
A common benign condition of the breast is benign (fibrocystic) breast disease. This patient has symptoms of fibrocystic disease, which include bilateral lumpy, painful breasts sometimes accompanied by nipple discharge. Symptoms are more apparent during the menstrual period. When palpated, the cysts (lumps) are soft, well differentiated, and movable. Deep cysts feel hard. Although a common condition, benign breast disease is not normal; therefore, the nurse does not tell the patient that this is a normal finding. During examination of the nipples and areolae, the nipple sometimes becomes erect with wrinkling of the areola. Therefore, consulting a breast surgeon to treat her nipples and areolae is not appropriate.