Can somebody assist me in understanding this question?

[waterdrifter]

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[TD=class: answer_label]The nurse is conducting a seminar about breast cancer at a community center for women from diverse backgrounds. Which of the following would the nurse include about cultural risks of breast cancer to encourage breast self-exam?

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[TD=class: answer_label]Asian, Hispanic, and Native American women have a lower incidence of breast cancer.[/TD]

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[TD=class: answer_label]African American women are more at risk for breast cancer than any other group.[/TD]

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I missed a mark on a quiz. I originally answered "African American women are more at risk for breast cancer than any other group".

The correct answer is "Asian, Hispanic, and Native American women have a lower incidence of breast cancer". The professor stands by this answer.

If I am to encourage participation in self-exam for breast cancer, wouldn't I inform the population most at risk? Or am I missing something? Any explanation would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!

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[Simplistic]

According to a quick google search, white, non-hispanic women have the highest incidence for breast cancer. So the answer you chose would be wrong.

[waterdrifter]

I personally think the wording of the answers is questionable at best. African Americans, according to my text, are more likely to die of breast cancer than any other population d/t the spiritual belief of fatalism and not seeking treatment or not realizing they may have a mass in their breasts. My text says nothing about statistics regarding other races or ethnic groups.

[Simplistic]

I personally think the wording of the answers is questionable at best. African Americans, according to my text, are more likely to die of breast cancer than any other population d/t the spiritual belief of fatalism and not seeking treatment or not realizing they may have a mass in their breasts. My text says nothing about statistics regarding other races or ethnic groups.

If thats the case, then I would agree with you. You would want to reach out to the population that has the highest incidence of cancer.

[Scottishtape]

Incidence of disease and mortality of disease are two different things, that's why you got the answer wrong.

Like Simplistic said, white, non-Hispanic women *get* breast cancer at a higher rate than other races (incidence rate) therefore, they are at the highest risk.

Africa Americans, according to your text are more likely to DIE of breast cancer due to the circumstances you listed. That doesn't mean they're at the highest risk of GETTING breast cancer.

Do you see the difference?

[waterdrifter]

I understand the difference in mortality and incidence.

The professor said she retrieved the quiz questions from the test bank that comes along with the text. My main point it that I should be able to answer the questions appropriately using information received in the textbook. I should not have to rely on google to take the quiz, nor could I seeing that the quiz was proctored in class.

I came home and reread the chapter to make sure that I wasn't going crazy. The text does not mention anything about other ethnic groups or cultures. The only mention regarding ethnic groups/cultures talks about what I mentioned above.

[waterdrifter]

Also, the question wasn't even originally regarding incidence vs. mortality. It was concerning cultural risk and encouragement of self examination. I would think that it would be important for African-American women to have the knowledge about self examination so that they could potentially report any abnormalities to their providers sooner than later.

[waterdrifter]

And yes, I do get that the answer may signify that African Americans have the highest incidence of cancer compared to other groups and that is incorrect, but like I said, the text does not offer any further information.

[Purple_roses]

I hate these sorts of questions and sympathize with your frustration. Who cares which culture is most at risk...tell all women to do self breast exams. That's my opinion anyway.

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

These type of questions are frequently found in final exams and certification exams. One of the big reasons many nurses "fail". One really needs to have an understanding of the material and read the questions very carefully to pick-up on the wording to help identify the correct/wrong answers.

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

So the text doesn't talk about the cultures that are at higher or lower risk of cancer? It only thing it says is that African American have a higher risk of dying from breast cancer? If that the case I would ask the instructor if she can find the info in the book for you. If its really not in there you may have a case, but i know my instructor hold to their answers even if students can explain why their answer is also right.

[nashvegasrn]

The nurse is conducting a seminar about breast cancer at a community center for women from diverse backgrounds. Which of the following would the nurse include about cultural risks of breast cancer to encourage breast self-exam?

Asian, Hispanic, and Native American women have a lower incidence of breast cancer.

African American women are more at risk for breast cancer than any other group.

It is a picky question...What info would you include? You would not include " African American women are more at risk for breast cancer than any other group." because it is not true. According to the CDC white women have a slightly higher risk for breast cancer; African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer. Welcome to NCLEX land. :)

CDC - Breast Cancer Rates by Race and Ethnicity