Question

When performing a routine physical assessment on a client who is postmenopausal the nurse identifies that the client has enlarged breasts with galactorrhea. For what blood hormone level does the nurse expect the client to be tested?

1. Prolactin

2. Estrogen

3. Oxytocin

4. Progesterone

Answer 1

The nurse expects the client to be tested for prolactin levels, as excessive prolactin production is directly associated with galactorrhea and breast enlargement in postmenopausal clients.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a postmenopausal client presents with enlarged breasts and galactorrhea, the nurse would expect the client to be tested for prolactin blood hormone levels. This expectation is based on the understanding that excess prolactin production can lead to symptoms such as amenorrhea, unnecessary discharge of milk (galactorrhea), and breast enlargement. Prolactin is responsible for stimulating the production of milk by the mammary glands following childbirth and is regulated by the hypothalamic hormones prolactin-releasing hormone (PRH) and prolactin-inhibiting hormone (PIH), which is dopamine. While other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, growth hormone, cortisol, parathyroid hormone, and insulin also contribute to lactation, it is the abnormal levels of prolactin that are directly associated with galactorrhea in the absence of pregnancy or breastfeeding.