Pathophysiology (2026) Actual Q&A PDF |
Wilkes
1. Which statement accurately describes the difference between benign
and malignant tumors?
A) Benign tumors are encapsulated and non-invasive; malignant tumors
are invasive and can metastasize
B) Benign tumors are poorly differentiated; malignant tumors are well
differentiated
C) Benign tumors have a high mitotic index; malignant tumors have a low
mitotic index
D) Benign tumors always metastasize; malignant tumors never
metastasize
Correct Answer: Benign tumors are encapsulated and non-invasive;
malignant tumors are invasive and can metastasize
Rationale: Benign tumors are well-differentiated, grow slowly, are
encapsulated, and do not invade surrounding tissues or metastasize.
Malignant tumors are poorly differentiated, grow rapidly, are invasive, and
can metastasize to distant sites. This distinction is fundamental to cancer
pathophysiology.
2. What is the primary mechanism by which oncogenes contribute to
cancer development?
A) They inhibit apoptosis and promote cell survival
B) They stimulate cell growth and division when mutated or
overexpressed
C) They repair damaged DNA and maintain genomic integrity
D) They suppress immune responses against tumor cells
,Correct Answer: They stimulate cell growth and division when
mutated or overexpressed
Rationale: Oncogenes are mutated forms of proto-oncogenes that
promote cancer by stimulating uncontrolled cell growth and division.
Tumor suppressor genes normally inhibit cell growth, and their loss of
function also contributes to cancer. DNA repair genes maintain genomic
integrity.
3. A patient's biopsy report indicates "carcinoma in situ." What does this
finding mean?
A) The cancer has metastasized to distant sites
B) The cancer has invaded surrounding tissue
C) The cancer has not invaded surrounding tissue
D) The cancer is benign
Correct Answer: The cancer has not invaded surrounding tissue
Rationale: Carcinoma in situ is an early stage of cancer where
abnormal cells have not invaded surrounding tissue. It is considered a
preinvasive stage of malignancy. This distinction is important for staging
and treatment decisions.
4. According to cancer staging, Stage IV cancer is characterized by which
finding?
A) No metastasis
B) Local invasion only
C) Spread to regional structures
D) Distant metastasis
Correct Answer: Distant metastasis
, Rationale: Cancer staging describes the extent of cancer spread: Stage
I indicates no metastasis, Stage II indicates local invasion, Stage III
indicates spread to regional structures, and Stage IV indicates distant
metastasis. Accurate staging guides treatment and prognosis.
5. What is the vascular effect of histamine released from mast cells during
inflammation?
A) Platelet adhesion
B) Initiation of the clotting cascade
C) Vasodilation
D) Increased endothelial adhesiveness
Correct Answer: Vasodilation
Rationale: Histamine, when released from mast cells, causes
vasodilation, which leads to increased blood flow to the inflamed area.
This results in the cardinal signs of redness and warmth. Histamine also
increases vascular permeability, contributing to swelling.
6. Which outcome results from activation of the complement cascade?
A) Activation of the clotting cascade
B) Prevention of infection spread to adjacent tissues
C) Inactivation of chemical mediators such as histamine
D) Lysis of bacterial cell membranes
Correct Answer: Lysis of bacterial cell membranes
Rationale: The complement cascade has four main functions:
anaphylatoxic activity resulting in mast cell degranulation, leukocyte
chemotaxis, opsonization, and cell lysis. The membrane attack complex
formed by complement components creates pores in bacterial cell
membranes, leading to lysis.