CBCN Exam Prep: Certified Breast Care Nurse (ONCC) Study Guide + 2,100+ Practice Questions

A patient who underwent a right total mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy three days ago calls the clinic reporting increased redness and warmth around the incision site. The patient has a history of type 2 diabetes and mentions a feeling of “general malaise.” Which instruction provided by the nurse is most appropriate for this clinical situation?

A nurse is assessing a patient with a high body mass index who reports new-onset tightness in her arm following breast-conserving surgery and axillary surgery. When choosing a measurement method to monitor for early lymphedema, which factor most significantly influences the accuracy of circumferential measurements?

A patient who is three years post-axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer presents to the clinic after sustaining a small cat scratch on her at-risk forearm. She has no history of lymphedema but is aware of the risk of infection. What is the most appropriate instruction for the nurse to provide?

A patient presents with Stage II lymphedema characterized by non-pitting edema and early fibrotic skin changes. She has been using a standard compression sleeve but notes it is no longer effective in controlling the limb volume. Which intervention should the nurse facilitate to address the progression of this condition?

A survivor with stable Stage I lymphedema wants to begin a structured upper-body strengthening program to improve bone density. She is concerned that lifting weights will cause a flare-up of her swelling. Based on current research regarding exercise and lymphedema, which guidance is most accurate for this patient?

During a routine follow-up, a patient who had a sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by regional nodal irradiation shows a 10-point increase in bioimpedance spectroscopy readings compared to baseline. The patient reports a heavy sensation in the arm but no visible swelling is noted. What is the most appropriate management strategy for this clinical finding?

A 52-year-old patient who underwent a modified radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection six months ago is planning a cross-country flight. She remains asymptomatic with no measurable swelling but expresses concern about air travel. Which recommendation should the nurse provide to best balance evidence-based risk reduction with current clinical guidelines?

A patient undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer reports a burning sensation and skin tightness. The nurse observes that the skin in the treatment field is intact but appears pink and feels warm to the touch. Which hygiene practice should the nurse recommend?

A nurse is teaching a patient about long-term skin care after completing a course of radiation therapy to the chest wall. The patient enjoys gardening and outdoor activities during the summer months and has a fair complexion. Which instruction should be prioritized?

A patient starting radiation therapy for breast cancer asks about appropriate clothing choices to minimize skin irritation throughout the six-week treatment course. The patient has a history of contact dermatitis and sensitive skin. Which advice is most helpful?

During a weekly skin assessment, a nurse notes that a patient with a large breast size has developed brisk erythema and small areas of moist, weeping skin within the inframammary fold. The patient is in the fifth week of treatment. Which management strategy is most appropriate?

A patient receiving adjuvant radiation therapy after a lumpectomy reports increasing difficulty completing daily chores due to profound tiredness that is not relieved by sleep. The patient currently walks about ten minutes twice a week and has no other comorbidities. Which recommendation should the nurse provide?

A 54-year-old patient undergoing whole breast radiation therapy for Stage II breast cancer presents at week four with confluent erythema and patchy dry desquamation in the treatment field. The patient reports significant itching and skin tightness. Which intervention is most appropriate for managing these symptoms?

A patient who is two weeks postoperative from a mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection reports a persistent burning and tingling sensation along the inner aspect of the upper arm and axilla. The skin appears intact with no signs of infection or edema. Which intervention should the nurse recommend to help the patient manage these symptoms?

A 50-year-old patient is preparing for discharge following a lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection. The nurse is providing education on lymphedema risk reduction. The patient asks why they should avoid having blood pressure measurements taken on the affected arm. Which explanation by the nurse best reflects current evidence-based practice?

A 42-year-old female presents with a newly diagnosed Grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma that is triple-negative. Her maternal aunt was diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer at age 52. Which action is most appropriate for the breast care nurse to take regarding the patient’s risk assessment?

A 48-year-old patient is 12 hours postoperative following a bilateral mastectomy with Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction. The nurse notes that the left breast flap appears slightly pale and feels cooler to the touch compared to the right side, although the capillary refill is still approximately three seconds. Which action should the nurse take next to ensure flap viability?

A 62-year-old patient underwent a left modified radical mastectomy with immediate tissue expander placement yesterday. During the morning assessment, the nurse observes that the patient’s left arm is resting on a pillow above the level of the heart, and the patient reports a dull, heavy sensation in the shoulder. The surgical drains have collected 40 mL of serosanguinous fluid over the last eight hours. Which nursing intervention should be prioritized?

A 54-year-old patient returns for a follow-up appointment ten days after a total mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection. The surgical drains were removed 48 hours ago. During the assessment, the nurse notes a new area of fluctuance and fullness under the axillary incision line, though the skin is cool and the patient is afebrile. Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to implement based on these clinical findings?

A 55-year-old woman who underwent a left lumpectomy and radiation therapy for Stage I invasive ductal carcinoma three years ago returns for follow-up. She is asymptomatic and her physical exam is unremarkable. What is the standard recommendation for her ongoing breast imaging surveillance?

A 42-year-old woman who is currently breastfeeding her six-month-old infant discovers a firm, mobile, non-tender lump in her left breast. She has no family history of breast cancer. What is the most appropriate initial imaging modality to evaluate this clinical finding in a lactating patient?

A 52-year-old male with a known BRCA2 mutation and a strong family history of female breast cancer seeks advice regarding his own breast health. He reports no palpable masses or skin changes. Based on current high-risk screening standards, what should be included in his clinical management plan?

A 79-year-old woman with a history of congestive heart failure and limited mobility presents for her annual wellness visit. She asks if she still needs to schedule her yearly screening mammogram. Her life expectancy is estimated to be less than five years due to her comorbid conditions. What is the most appropriate guidance for this patient?

A 48-year-old woman with heterogeneously dense breast tissue on her baseline mammogram and no significant family history of breast cancer asks about supplemental screening. She is concerned about the limitations of standard imaging in dense tissue. Which recommendation is most consistent with current evidence-based practice for this average-risk patient?

A 32-year-old woman with a confirmed BRCA1 genetic mutation presents to the high-risk clinic to establish a long-term surveillance plan. She has no physical symptoms and her last clinical breast examination was normal. According to current American Cancer Society and NCCN guidelines, what is the most appropriate screening recommendation for this patient?

A 30-year-old woman is identified as having a pathogenic CHEK2 mutation. She has no personal history of cancer but is concerned about her screening schedule. Which recommendation is most consistent with current high-risk guidelines?

A 48-year-old woman with a history of Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS) reports that her father was diagnosed with male breast cancer at age 62. What is the most appropriate next step in her clinical management?

A 28-year-old woman with a history of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) seeks a risk assessment. Her paternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 44, and her father has no history of cancer. Which risk assessment approach is most appropriate?

A 35-year-old patient receives genetic testing results identifying a Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS) in the BRCA2 gene. Her family history is significant for a sister diagnosed with premenopausal breast cancer at age 38. How should the nurse explain the management of these results?