In Assessing a Patient with Lymphedema After a Mastectomy, the Nurse

question 15

Multiple Choice

In assessing a patient with lymphedema after a mastectomy, the nurse expects which finding?

• A) Fragile, thin, pale skin covering the area of lymphedema
• B) Several brownish-red discolorations in the center of the affected arm
• C) Unilateral nonpitting edema of the affected arm
• D) Pitting edema of affected arm

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Definitions:

Morula

A solid ball of cells resulting from division of a fertilized ovum, and from which a blastula is formed.

Primitive Streak

Dynamic, constantly changing structure that forms at the midline of the blastodisc in birds, mammals, and some other vertebrates. It is active in gastrulation as cells migrate to a narrow furrow at its center, the primitive groove, and sink into the interior of the embryo. The anterior end of the primitive streak is Hensen’s node.

Epiblast

An early embryo layer from which all the three primary germ layers develop during gastrulation in the formation of a vertebrate body.

Notochord

A flexible rod-like structure in the early stages of embryos in all chordates, providing skeletal support.