Breast Cancer — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
New painless breast lumpAlso known as: breast carcinoma · mammary cancer
Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Breast Cancer on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
🩺📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
🩺 Signs
- Hard fixed painless lump, upper-outer
- Skin dimpling, peau d'orange, nipple retraction
- Bloody/clear unilateral nipple discharge
📌 Risk
- BRCA1/2, family hx, female, age ↑
- Early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity
📌 Dx
- Mammogram, US, biopsy = definitive
- Receptors: ER/PR/HER2 → guide tx
✅ Do
- Post-mastectomy: arm elevated, no BP/IV
- Watch lymphedema → no constriction
- Tamoxifen → ↑ clot/DVT risk
📚 Breast Cancer — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Key points
Understand these first- The classic sign is a single, hard, painless, fixed, irregular lump, frequently in the upper outer quadrant.
- Other signs include nipple retraction, skin dimpling, peau d'orange (orange-peel skin), and bloody or clear nipple discharge.
- Risk factors include female sex, increasing age, BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, family history, early menarche/late menopause, nulliparity, and prolonged estrogen exposure.
- Hormone receptor (ER/PR) and HER2 status guide therapy; ER-positive tumors respond to tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors.
- Treatment may include lumpectomy or mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted/hormonal therapy.
- After axillary lymph node dissection, the affected arm is at risk for lymphedema.
Nursing priorities
What to do, in order- After mastectomy, position the affected arm elevated on a pillow to promote lymph drainage.
- Protect the affected arm: no BP measurements, venipunctures, or injections on that side.
- Encourage progressive arm exercises as ordered to restore range of motion and prevent contractures.
- Provide emotional support and address body image and sexuality concerns.
- Monitor the surgical site and drains for bleeding, infection, and excessive output.
Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately- Signs of lymphedema or infection in the affected arm (swelling, redness, warmth) require prompt reporting.
- Never take blood pressure, draw blood, or give injections in the arm on the operative/lymph node dissection side.
- Sudden severe arm swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath needs immediate evaluation.
Labs & values
Numbers to know- Tumor markers CA 15-3 / CA 27-29: may be elevated (used for monitoring, not screening)
- ER/PR receptor status: positive or negative
- HER2 status: positive or negative
- BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic testing: as indicated
Patient teaching
What patients must know- Protect the affected arm: avoid blood draws, BP, injections, heavy lifting, tight clothing/jewelry, and cuts on that side.
- Perform prescribed arm exercises and report any swelling, redness, or signs of lymphedema or infection.
- Follow recommended screening: mammography and clinical exams per guidelines; report any new lump or change.
- Practice monthly breast self-awareness and know normal versus abnormal findings.
- For hormonal therapy like tamoxifen, report leg pain/swelling or abnormal vaginal bleeding (clot and endometrial cancer risk).
❓ Breast Cancer: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Breast Cancer?
After mastectomy, position the affected arm elevated on a pillow to promote lymph drainage. Protect the affected arm: no BP measurements, venipunctures, or injections on that side. Encourage progressive arm exercises as ordered to restore range of motion and prevent contractures. Provide emotional support and address body image and sexuality concerns.
What are the warning signs of Breast Cancer a nurse must report?
Signs of lymphedema or infection in the affected arm (swelling, redness, warmth) require prompt reporting. Never take blood pressure, draw blood, or give injections in the arm on the operative/lymph node dissection side. Sudden severe arm swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath needs immediate evaluation.
What do I need to know about Breast Cancer for the NCLEX?
The classic sign is a single, hard, painless, fixed, irregular lump, frequently in the upper outer quadrant. Other signs include nipple retraction, skin dimpling, peau d'orange (orange-peel skin), and bloody or clear nipple discharge. Risk factors include female sex, increasing age, BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, family history, early menarche/late menopause, nulliparity, and prolonged estrogen exposure. Hormone receptor (ER/PR) and HER2 status guide therapy; ER-positive tumors respond to tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors.
What patient teaching is important for Breast Cancer?
Protect the affected arm: avoid blood draws, BP, injections, heavy lifting, tight clothing/jewelry, and cuts on that side. Perform prescribed arm exercises and report any swelling, redness, or signs of lymphedema or infection. Follow recommended screening: mammography and clinical exams per guidelines; report any new lump or change. Practice monthly breast self-awareness and know normal versus abnormal findings.
Quick Tip
The classic sign is a single, hard, painless, fixed, irregular lump, frequently in the upper outer quadrant.
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