Refer patients with masses or significant abnormalities to a breast specialist for further diagnostic procedures. After you have described any lesions or masses, draw a picture on the patient's record. As you assess breath sounds, you notice that he has gynecomastia. Knowing that he takes spironolactone, you use this opportunity to teach Mr. Hunt about this reversible drug effect. Your diagnosis is Body Image Disturbance related to adverse drug effect.
Some drugs adversely affect breasts.
1 Consult a nursing pharmacology reference for other agents that may cause breast changes. In men, signs of breast cancer are a painless areolar lesion, nipple retraction, and fixation to underlying tissues. The majority of breast cancers are found by women themselves. Include a discussion of basic breast anatomy and normal breast changes. The use of breast models with simulated masses helps to sensitize your patient's fingers to abnormalities.