NURS 231 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY UPDATED
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS FULL SOLUTION GRADED A+
◉ Define neoplasia and neoplasm: Answer: Neoplasia is a disorder of
altered cell differentiation and growth. Neoplasm is the "new growth."
◉ Define proliferation and differentiation: Answer: Proliferation, a
process of cell division, is an adaptive process for new cell growth to
replace old cells or when additional cells are needed. Differentiation
is the process in which cells become more specialized with each
mitotic division.
◉ What are the 3 main groups of cells that proliferate? Answer: (1)
well-differentiated neurons and cells of skeletal and cardiac muscles
that rarely divide and reproduce; (2) progenitor or parent cells that
continue to divide and reproduce, like blood, skin, and liver cells; (3)
undifferentiated stem cells that can enter the cell cycle and produce
large number of progenitor cells if needed.
◉ What are progenitor cells? Answer: The more specialized cells are
unable to divide, so these cell populations rely on progenitor or parent
cells of the same lineage that have not yet differentiated to the extent
that they have lost their ability to divide. They have enough
differentiation so the daughter cells are limited to the same cell line,
but not quite differentiated enough to prohibit active proliferation.
, ◉ What are the benefits of the stem cell? Answer: Stem cells remain
dormant until they are needed. When needed, they can divide,
produce other stem cells, and carry out the functions of the
differentiated cell. Two important properties that stem cells possess
are self-renewal and potency. Self-renewal means the stem cell can
undergo numerous mitotic divisions while maintaining an
undifferentiated state. Potency describes the differentiation potential
of stem cells.
◉ What is a polyp? Answer: A polyp is a growth that projects from a
mucosal surface, such as the intestine. A polyp can be benign or
malignant.
◉ Explain metastasis and how it occurs: Answer: The multi-step
process of metastasis occurs as follows: a cancer cell must break loose
from the primary tumor, invade the surrounding extracellular matrix,
gain access to a blood vessel, survive its passage in the bloodstream,
emerge at a favorable location, invade the surrounding tissue, begin to
grow, and establish a blood supply.
◉ What are the two broad categories of malignant neoplasms?
Answer: Solid tumors and hematologic cancers
◉ Explain what carcinoma in situ is? Answer: Carcinoma in situ is a
localized preinvasive lesion. These can typically be surgically
removed or treated, and recurrence is less likely.
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS FULL SOLUTION GRADED A+
◉ Define neoplasia and neoplasm: Answer: Neoplasia is a disorder of
altered cell differentiation and growth. Neoplasm is the "new growth."
◉ Define proliferation and differentiation: Answer: Proliferation, a
process of cell division, is an adaptive process for new cell growth to
replace old cells or when additional cells are needed. Differentiation
is the process in which cells become more specialized with each
mitotic division.
◉ What are the 3 main groups of cells that proliferate? Answer: (1)
well-differentiated neurons and cells of skeletal and cardiac muscles
that rarely divide and reproduce; (2) progenitor or parent cells that
continue to divide and reproduce, like blood, skin, and liver cells; (3)
undifferentiated stem cells that can enter the cell cycle and produce
large number of progenitor cells if needed.
◉ What are progenitor cells? Answer: The more specialized cells are
unable to divide, so these cell populations rely on progenitor or parent
cells of the same lineage that have not yet differentiated to the extent
that they have lost their ability to divide. They have enough
differentiation so the daughter cells are limited to the same cell line,
but not quite differentiated enough to prohibit active proliferation.
, ◉ What are the benefits of the stem cell? Answer: Stem cells remain
dormant until they are needed. When needed, they can divide,
produce other stem cells, and carry out the functions of the
differentiated cell. Two important properties that stem cells possess
are self-renewal and potency. Self-renewal means the stem cell can
undergo numerous mitotic divisions while maintaining an
undifferentiated state. Potency describes the differentiation potential
of stem cells.
◉ What is a polyp? Answer: A polyp is a growth that projects from a
mucosal surface, such as the intestine. A polyp can be benign or
malignant.
◉ Explain metastasis and how it occurs: Answer: The multi-step
process of metastasis occurs as follows: a cancer cell must break loose
from the primary tumor, invade the surrounding extracellular matrix,
gain access to a blood vessel, survive its passage in the bloodstream,
emerge at a favorable location, invade the surrounding tissue, begin to
grow, and establish a blood supply.
◉ What are the two broad categories of malignant neoplasms?
Answer: Solid tumors and hematologic cancers
◉ Explain what carcinoma in situ is? Answer: Carcinoma in situ is a
localized preinvasive lesion. These can typically be surgically
removed or treated, and recurrence is less likely.
