Skills # 7: The Breast and Lymphatic Vessels

Skills # 7: THE BREAST and LYMPHATIC VESSELS
NAME: ________________________________________ DATE: _________________
ASSESSING THE BREASTS AND AXILLAE
DEFINITION:
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PURPOSE:
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EQUIPMENT:
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CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE, DURING and AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

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THINGS TO DOCUMENT AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

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PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
C –The step was correctly performed
X- The step was not performed
N- The execution of the step needs improvement
R- The step was correctly performed after remediation
PROCEDURE RATIONALE C X N R
1. Explain the procedure and provide
To gain patient’s trust and cooperation
privacy.
2. Inspect the breasts for skin condition, It should be smooth, undimpled and the
size, symmetry, and contour or shape. same color as the rest of the skin.
Asymmetry may occur normally in some
BREAST AND LYMPHATIC VESSELS | NSG 102.2

adult with the left breast usually larger
than the right.
3. Inspect the nipples and areola for size,
shape, symmetry, color, surface
To note presence of abnormalities
characteristics and any masses, lesions, or
discharges.
4. Ask the client to raise her arms over her
To provide visibility and conclusive data
head and place it behind her back.
5. Inspect the axillae for skin condition and
To note presence of abnormalities
hair distribution.
6. Inspect the client in these positions:
a. Sitting with arms at the sides
These positions may help detect skin or
b. Sitting with arms raised overhead
c. Sitting with hands pressed on the hips nipple dimpling which may not be
d. Sitting and leaning forward obvious. Some positions may also help
e. Supine with a pillow under the reveal subtle breast or nipple asymmetry
shoulder of the breast being
examined.
7. Palpate the client’s breasts using the
finger pads index, middle and ring These are the most effective methods to
fingers. Palpate using the vertical strip ensure that the entire breast is palpated
method, pie wedge or concentric circles.
8. Palpate the nipples and areola. To note tissue elasticity and tenderness
9. Squeeze the nipple gently between the To check presence of tenderness and
thumb and index finger. discharges
10. Palpate the axillae and clavicular lymph To check for any tenderness, masses or
nodes nodules
11. If a mass is detected record the location
Further evaluation may be done after
using quadrant or clock method, position,
finding a breast lump during assessment,
size in cm, mobility, consistency, degree
masses may be investigated with a biopsy
of tenderness and shape.
DATE OF
COMPLETED YES NO SIGNED
COMPLETION
REMARKS:
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BREAST AND LYMPHATIC VESSELS | NSG 102.2

Skills # 7: The Breast and Lymphatic Vessels

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Skills # 7: THE BREAST and LYMPHATIC VESSELS

NAME: ________________________ DATE: _

ASSESSING THE BREASTS AND AXILLAE

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE, DURING and AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

THINGS TO DOCUMENT AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

BREAST AND LYMPHATIC VESSELS | NSG 102.2

BREAST AND LYMPHATIC VESSELS | NSG 102.2

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