Question

A client is admitted to the hospital and is scheduled to have a modified radical mastectomy. The client asks the nurse about the surgical procedure. Which explanation does the nurse give?

a) Removal of the entire breast, including some muscle and lymph nodes

b) Removal of only the breast tissue, leaving muscles and lymph nodes intact

c) Removal of the breast tissue and nearby lymph nodes, but not the muscles

d) Removal of the breast tissue with reconstruction using implants

Answer 1

A modified radical mastectomy is a surgical procedure that entails the removal of the entire breast tissue and nearby lymph nodes without removing the muscles underneath the breast. Option c is the answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The explanation the nurse would give to a client scheduled to have a modified radical mastectomy is that this surgical procedure involves the removal of the entire breast tissue and nearby lymph nodes, but not the muscles. This is one of the common procedures for treating breast cancer, especially when there is a need to ensure the thorough removal of possibly cancerous tissues. The aim is to remove the mass along with some lymph nodes to help prevent the spread of cancer, as the lymphatic system is one pathway through which cancer can spread.

The breasts are made up of mammary glands and fat, with the mammary glands consisting of lobes and ducts that supply milk. A biopsy might be performed before surgery to diagnose the presence and extent of cancer. In a modified radical mastectomy, the muscles underneath the breast are usually preserved, differentiating it from a radical mastectomy, where some chest muscles may also be removed.