NUR 327 Midterm exam | Q&A | 2026/2027 | Nursing | Health and
Illness Concepts | ASU | Graded A+
1. A nursing student is reviewing the pathophysiology of cancer. Which
statement best describes the process of carcinogenesis?
A) The rapid growth of normal cells in response to an infection
B) The transformation of normal cells into malignant cells through genetic
mutations
C) The programmed death of cells as a normal part of the cell cycle
D) The spread of cancer cells from one organ to another through the
bloodstream
Correct Answer: The transformation of normal cells into malignant cells
through genetic mutations
Rationale: Carcinogenesis is the process by which normal cells are
transformed into cancer cells through a series of genetic mutations. These
mutations can be inherited or acquired and lead to uncontrolled cell growth
and division.
2. Which term describes the spread of cancer cells from the primary site to
distant organs through the blood or lymphatic system?
A) Angiogenesis
B) Metastasis
C) Apoptosis
D) Differentiation
Correct Answer: Metastasis
Rationale: Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the
primary tumor to distant sites through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
,This is a hallmark of malignant tumors and a major cause of cancer-related
mortality.
3. A student nurse is learning about tumor classification. Which characteristic
is associated with a malignant tumor?
A) Encapsulated and slow-growing
B) Well-differentiated cells that resemble the tissue of origin
C) Invades surrounding tissues and can metastasize
D) Does not recur after surgical removal
Correct Answer: Invades surrounding tissues and can metastasize
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by invasive growth into
surrounding tissues and the ability to metastasize to distant sites. Benign
tumors are typically encapsulated, slow-growing, and well-differentiated.
4. A client is diagnosed with glioblastoma. The student nurse recognizes that
this type of tumor is:
A) A benign tumor of the brain
B) A malignant tumor of the brain characterized by rapid growth
C) A slow-growing tumor of the spinal cord
D) A tumor that only affects children
Correct Answer: A malignant tumor of the brain characterized by rapid
growth
Rationale: Glioblastoma is a highly malignant and aggressive brain tumor
characterized by rapid growth. It is the most common and deadliest primary
brain tumor in adults.
,5. A client with a brain tumor reports a new-onset headache and seizure. The
student nurse recognizes these as:
A) Expected side effects of chemotherapy
B) Signs of increased intracranial pressure or tumor involvement
C) Signs of a medication reaction
D) Normal findings that do not require intervention
Correct Answer: Signs of increased intracranial pressure or tumor
involvement
Rationale: Headache and seizures are common signs and symptoms of brain
tumors, including glioblastoma, due to increased intracranial pressure and
tumor involvement in brain tissue.
6. A student nurse is reviewing the treatment options for glioblastoma. Which
statement about treatment is correct?
A) Surgery is rarely performed for glioblastoma
B) Chemotherapy is highly effective due to easy access across the blood-
brain barrier
C) Treatment may include a combination of surgery, radiation, and
chemotherapy
D) Radiation therapy is not used for brain tumors
Correct Answer: Treatment may include a combination of surgery, radiation,
and chemotherapy
Rationale: Treatment for glioblastoma typically involves a multimodal
approach, including surgical resection (craniotomy), radiation therapy, and
, chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy is challenging due to the blood-brain
barrier limiting drug efficacy.
7. A student nurse is caring for a client post-craniotomy for a brain tumor.
Which assessment finding is most concerning?
A) Pain rated 4 out of 10
B) Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
C) A change in level of consciousness
D) Temperature of 99.0°F (37.2°C)
Correct Answer: A change in level of consciousness
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness is the most sensitive indicator
of increased intracranial pressure and neurological deterioration post-
craniotomy. This finding requires immediate assessment and intervention.
8. A client is diagnosed with leukemia. The student nurse understands that
leukemia is a cancer of the:
A) Lymph nodes
B) Bone marrow and blood
C) Bone tissue
D) Brain and spinal cord
Correct Answer: Bone marrow and blood
Rationale: Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone
marrow, leading to the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.
Illness Concepts | ASU | Graded A+
1. A nursing student is reviewing the pathophysiology of cancer. Which
statement best describes the process of carcinogenesis?
A) The rapid growth of normal cells in response to an infection
B) The transformation of normal cells into malignant cells through genetic
mutations
C) The programmed death of cells as a normal part of the cell cycle
D) The spread of cancer cells from one organ to another through the
bloodstream
Correct Answer: The transformation of normal cells into malignant cells
through genetic mutations
Rationale: Carcinogenesis is the process by which normal cells are
transformed into cancer cells through a series of genetic mutations. These
mutations can be inherited or acquired and lead to uncontrolled cell growth
and division.
2. Which term describes the spread of cancer cells from the primary site to
distant organs through the blood or lymphatic system?
A) Angiogenesis
B) Metastasis
C) Apoptosis
D) Differentiation
Correct Answer: Metastasis
Rationale: Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the
primary tumor to distant sites through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
,This is a hallmark of malignant tumors and a major cause of cancer-related
mortality.
3. A student nurse is learning about tumor classification. Which characteristic
is associated with a malignant tumor?
A) Encapsulated and slow-growing
B) Well-differentiated cells that resemble the tissue of origin
C) Invades surrounding tissues and can metastasize
D) Does not recur after surgical removal
Correct Answer: Invades surrounding tissues and can metastasize
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by invasive growth into
surrounding tissues and the ability to metastasize to distant sites. Benign
tumors are typically encapsulated, slow-growing, and well-differentiated.
4. A client is diagnosed with glioblastoma. The student nurse recognizes that
this type of tumor is:
A) A benign tumor of the brain
B) A malignant tumor of the brain characterized by rapid growth
C) A slow-growing tumor of the spinal cord
D) A tumor that only affects children
Correct Answer: A malignant tumor of the brain characterized by rapid
growth
Rationale: Glioblastoma is a highly malignant and aggressive brain tumor
characterized by rapid growth. It is the most common and deadliest primary
brain tumor in adults.
,5. A client with a brain tumor reports a new-onset headache and seizure. The
student nurse recognizes these as:
A) Expected side effects of chemotherapy
B) Signs of increased intracranial pressure or tumor involvement
C) Signs of a medication reaction
D) Normal findings that do not require intervention
Correct Answer: Signs of increased intracranial pressure or tumor
involvement
Rationale: Headache and seizures are common signs and symptoms of brain
tumors, including glioblastoma, due to increased intracranial pressure and
tumor involvement in brain tissue.
6. A student nurse is reviewing the treatment options for glioblastoma. Which
statement about treatment is correct?
A) Surgery is rarely performed for glioblastoma
B) Chemotherapy is highly effective due to easy access across the blood-
brain barrier
C) Treatment may include a combination of surgery, radiation, and
chemotherapy
D) Radiation therapy is not used for brain tumors
Correct Answer: Treatment may include a combination of surgery, radiation,
and chemotherapy
Rationale: Treatment for glioblastoma typically involves a multimodal
approach, including surgical resection (craniotomy), radiation therapy, and
, chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy is challenging due to the blood-brain
barrier limiting drug efficacy.
7. A student nurse is caring for a client post-craniotomy for a brain tumor.
Which assessment finding is most concerning?
A) Pain rated 4 out of 10
B) Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
C) A change in level of consciousness
D) Temperature of 99.0°F (37.2°C)
Correct Answer: A change in level of consciousness
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness is the most sensitive indicator
of increased intracranial pressure and neurological deterioration post-
craniotomy. This finding requires immediate assessment and intervention.
8. A client is diagnosed with leukemia. The student nurse understands that
leukemia is a cancer of the:
A) Lymph nodes
B) Bone marrow and blood
C) Bone tissue
D) Brain and spinal cord
Correct Answer: Bone marrow and blood
Rationale: Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone
marrow, leading to the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.
