Female Genitourinary and Musculoskeletal
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Female Genitourinary and Musculoskeletal
Introduction
Breasts are important organs, especially, in women. Lumps may develop in the breasts for several reasons. Sometimes tumors in the breasts can be a sign of cancer, therefore, one should always consult a doctor about the issue (Waks & Winer, 2019). However, most breast lumps are non-cancerous or benign. The patient in the case study presented with a lump in her left breast. The purpose of this paper is to answer all the questions based on the case study.
What other subjective data would you obtain?
Subjective data allows the care provider to understand the exact feeling of the patient. The subjective data are reported by the patient. Some of the subjective data provided include a tumor on the left breast, however, the patient denied fever, nipple discharge, or pain. Additional subjective data may include asking if the patient has fatigue, cough, or weight changes Prat, A., & Rimawi, M. (2020). This information is important because it may indicate a possibility of cancer or infection.
What other objective findings would you look for?
Objective data are details observed by the healthcare provider. Some of the identified objective data include the presence of a lump in the left breast, temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, height, weight, and BMI. The patient appears well developed, nourished, and healthy. Additional objective information includes the changes in shape and appearance of the breast if any (Waks & Winer, 2019). The care professionals may also assess whether the breasts are newly inverted, peeling the skin, and redness of the skin.
What diagnostic exams do you want to order?
Several diagnostic tests may be recommended to assess the accurate diagnosis of the patient. A breast ultrasound may be recommended to check for a breast lump. Ultrasound shows clearly the shape and size of the lump (Prat & Rimawi, 2020). Mammography is another test to detect any abnormality in the breast. Breast MRI may also be recommended to examine the internal features of the breast. A biopsy may be important to determine whether cells are cancerous. All these diagnostic tests are important.
Name 3 differential diagnoses based on this patient presenting symptoms
- Fibroadenoma
- Breast cyst
- Intraductal papilloma
Give rationales for each differential diagnosis
Fibroadenoma is a differential diagnosis because its symptoms are similar to what the patient manifests. Fibroadenoma is a solid breast lump that normally causes no pain. It is often round with unique smoothness (Prat & Rimawi, 2020). Breast cysts are round sacs of fluid that often develop in the breast tissue. The lumps are normally painful or tender when palpated. Intraductal papilloma is a noncancerous tumor that normally grows in the milk ducts (Prat & Rimawi, 2020). They are often associated with nipple discharge.
What teachings will you provide?
Patient education is very important in this case to help her understand the diagnosis. Education is majorly based on the diagnosis. Patients need to be educated about medication adherence if any is provided (Prat & Rimawi, 2020). The patient should learn about a healthy lifestyle to reduce any risk of developing cancer. A healthy lifestyle can prevent or delay the onset of cancer.
Conclusion
Breast lumps can signify the presence of cancer, however, most of them are benign. The patient in the case study has lumps on her left breast. Both objective and subjective data have been determined. Various diagnostic tests can be recommended to detect cancer. Differential diagnoses include fibroadenoma, breast cyst, and intraductal papilloma. Proper patient education is recommended to improve her health.
References
Prat, A., & Rimawi, M. (2020). New Approaches to Classification and Diagnostic Prediction of Breast Cancers. Frontiers Media SA.
Waks, A. G., & Winer, E. P. (2019). Breast cancer treatment: a review. Jama, 321(3), 288-300. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.19323