How Should the Nurse Position a Patient for Palpation of the Breast

question 4

Multiple Choice

How should the nurse position a patient for palpation of the breast and axillae during the physical assessment?

• A) Supine with arms at her side
• B) Supine with arms over her head
• C) Supine with arm over her head and pillow under shoulder of side being examined
• D) Supine with arm over her head and a pillow under shoulder opposite side being examined

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Definitions:

Decant

The process of gently pouring liquid from one container to another to separate it from sediment or other particles at the bottom.

Clarity

The quality of being clear, understandable, and transparent in expression, thought, or presentation.

Tuberculosis

An infectious disease caused by the tubercle bacillus; pulmonary tuberculosis is a specific inflammatory disease of the lungs that destroys lung tissue.

Gram-positive

Referring to bacteria that retain the crystal violet dye in the Gram stain test, indicating a thick outer cell wall.