Women's health · Examination

Nipple discharge

Medium

8 min station · 2 min reading · UWA Year 3

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S T C F

2 min reading · 8 min station · reminders at 1 min

Instructions

You are a medical student on placement in general practice. Your next patient is Lorraine Pettigrew, 56, an aged care worker, presenting with nipple discharge.

  1. Examine the patient

  2. Outline to the examiner:

    • Your findings
    • Your most likely diagnosis and differentials
  • You do not need to take a further history or outline a management plan
  • The breast examination is done on a model; please verbalise it, and findings will be provided on request
  • The examiner will ask you one question at the end

History taken by the GP

Thick greenish-brown discharge from both nipples on and off for four months, found on her bra; never bloody. Left nipple slowly drawn in over the past year. No lump or pain. Periods stopped at 51; no hormone therapy or regular medicines. Smokes 20 a day. Screening mammogram two years ago normal.

Practising alone? Ask the examinerFindings appear only when you ask for them

Investigations

Examination