A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 days postoperative following a right radical mastectomy. Which of the following activities should the nurse anticipate being the most difficult for this client to perform with her right hand?

Choice A: Sleep disturbances are the correct answer because they are a symptom of a heart attack observed in women. Sleep disturbances are problems that affect the quality or quantity of sleep, such as insomnia, nightmares, or snoring. They can indicate that the heart is not pumping enough blood and oxygen to meet the body's needs during sleep. About 48% of women who have had a heart attack report having sleep disturbances in the weeks before their event.

Choice B: Syncope is not the correct answer because it is not a symptom of a heart attack observed in women. Syncope is a condition that causes a temporary loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood pressure or blood flow to the brain. It can be caused by various factors such as dehydration, medication side effects, or cardiac arrhythmias. However, it is not a common sign of a heart attack in women, and only about 12% of women who have had a heart attack report having syncope before their event.

Choice C: Unusual fatigue is the correct answer because it is a symptom of a heart attack observed in women. Unusual fatigue is a feeling of extreme tiredness or exhaustion that is not relieved by rest or sleep. It can indicate that the heart is not pumping enough blood and oxygen to meet the body's needs during daily activities. About 70% of women who have had a heart attack report having unusual fatigue in the weeks before their event.

Choice D: Extreme hunger is not the correct answer because it is not a symptom of a heart attack observed in women. Extreme hunger is a feeling of intense or excessive appetite or craving for food. It can be caused by various factors such as diabetes, thyroid disorder, or stress. However, it is not a sign of a heart attack in women, and only about 4% of women who have had a heart attack report having extreme hunger before their event.

Choice E: Arm pain is the correct answer because it is a symptom of a heart attack observed in women. Arm pain is a feeling of discomfort or ache in one or both arms, especially the left arm. It can indicate that the heart muscle is not receiving enough blood and oxygen due to a blocked coronary artery. About 42% of women who have had a heart attack report having arm pain before their event.

Choice A: African American women have the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene is not the correct answer because it is not a fact but a misconception. BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are genes that normally help prevent breast and ovarian cancer by repairing DNA damage. However, mutations in these genes can increase the risk of developing these cancers. BRCA mutations are not exclusive to African American women, but they can affect any race or ethnicity. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 12% of American white women and 10% of African American women have a BRCA mutation.

Choice B: American white women respond better to breast cancer treatment is not the correct answer because it is not a fact but a disparity. Breast cancer treatment can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy. The response to treatment can vary depending on various factors such as tumor type, stage, grade, or molecular profile. However, some studies have shown that American white women have better survival rates and outcomes than African-American women after breast cancer treatment. This disparity may be due to differences in access to care, quality of care, socioeconomic status, or biological factors.

Choice C: Breast cancer is more advanced in African American women when found is the correct answer because it is a fact and a disparity. Breast cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells grow and invade the breast tissue or other parts of the body. The stage of breast cancer describes how far the cancer has spread and how serious it is. Breast cancer can be detected by screening tests such as mammograms or clinical exams such as breast self-exams. However, some studies have shown that African American women are more likely than American white women to be diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages. This disparity may be due to differences in screening rates, awareness, symptoms, or tumor biology.

Choice D: More Hispanic women smoke, which increases their risk is not the correct answer because it is not a fact but a misconception. Smoking is a risk factor for breast cancer, as it can damage the DNA of breast cells and increase the levels of hormones that stimulate cell growth. However, smoking rates are not higher among Hispanic women than other racial or ethnic groups. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 14% of Hispanic women smoke cigarettes compared to 16% of American white women and 14% of African American women.