BIOD 331 / NURS 231 Module 2 Exam – Pathophysiology (Portage
Learning) (2026/2027) Verified Questions & Answers | Guarantee
Pass
Questions 1–100+
1. Which of the following best defines neoplasia?
A) The normal process of cell division for tissue repair
B) The process characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth and differentiation
C) The programmed death of cells as part of normal development
D) The shrinkage of a tissue or organ due to decreased workload
Answer B: The process characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth and differentiation
Rationale: Neoplasia involves abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth that deviates from normal regulatory
mechanisms, forming a neoplasm (tumor).
2. What is a neoplasm?
A) A normal tissue growth
B) The actual resultant mass or lesion of abnormal proliferation, commonly referred to as a "new growth" or
tumor
C) A type of cellular atrophy
D) A benign inflammatory response
Answer B: The actual resultant mass or lesion of abnormal proliferation, commonly referred to as a
"new growth" or tumor
Rationale: A neoplasm is the mass or lesion that results from neoplastic proliferation, which can be benign
or malignant.
3. A neoplasm that is non-invasive and localized is best described as:
A) Malignant
B) Benign
,C) Dysplastic
D) Metastatic
Answer B: Benign
Rationale: Benign neoplasms remain localized and do not invade surrounding tissues or metastasize.
4. Proliferation is best defined as:
A) The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized
B) The process of cell division leading to an increase in cell number
C) The programmed death of cells
D) The replacement of one cell type with another
Answer B: The process of cell division leading to an increase in cell number
Rationale: Proliferation is essential for normal tissue growth, repair, and replacement of lost cells.
5. Differentiation refers to:
A) The process of cell division leading to an increase in cell number
B) The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function
C) The abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells
D) The process of tissue repair through fibrosis
Answer B: The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function
Rationale: Differentiation involves changes in gene expression that allow cells to acquire specific structures
and functions.
6. Pathologic disturbances in either proliferation or differentiation are central to:
A) Inflammatory disorders
B) Neoplastic disorders
C) Autoimmune disorders
D) Degenerative disorders
Answer B: Neoplastic disorders
Rationale: In cancer, cells proliferate uncontrollably and fail to differentiate properly.
7. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of malignant neoplasms?
A) Invasiveness
, B) Ability to metastasize
C) Well-defined borders
D) Anaplasia
Answer C: Well-defined borders
Rationale: Malignant neoplasms are characterized by invasiveness, metastasis, and anaplasia; benign
neoplasms typically have well-defined borders.
8. A tissue biopsy is vital in cancer diagnosis because it:
A) Identifies genetic mutations only
B) Enables microscopic evaluation of cellular morphology and tissue architecture to confirm malignancy and
identify the histologic subtype
C) Determines the stage of cancer
D) Assesses response to treatment
Answer B: Enables microscopic evaluation of cellular morphology and tissue architecture to confirm
malignancy and identify the histologic subtype
Rationale: Biopsy provides histologic and cytologic assessment essential for accurate cancer diagnosis and
guiding management.
9. List two signs or symptoms that might indicate a cancer diagnosis.
A) Unexplained bleeding and unintentional weight loss
B) Headache and muscle aches
C) Fever and rash
D) Nausea and diarrhea
Answer A: Unexplained bleeding and unintentional weight loss
Rationale: Unexplained bleeding, non-healing sores, masses, and unintentional weight loss are common
warning signs of cancer.
10. What are two common side effects experienced by cancer patients?
A) Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome and fatigue/anemia
B) Hypertension and tachycardia
C) Polyuria and polydipsia
D) Hyperglycemia and weight gain
Answer A: Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome and fatigue/anemia
Learning) (2026/2027) Verified Questions & Answers | Guarantee
Pass
Questions 1–100+
1. Which of the following best defines neoplasia?
A) The normal process of cell division for tissue repair
B) The process characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth and differentiation
C) The programmed death of cells as part of normal development
D) The shrinkage of a tissue or organ due to decreased workload
Answer B: The process characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth and differentiation
Rationale: Neoplasia involves abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth that deviates from normal regulatory
mechanisms, forming a neoplasm (tumor).
2. What is a neoplasm?
A) A normal tissue growth
B) The actual resultant mass or lesion of abnormal proliferation, commonly referred to as a "new growth" or
tumor
C) A type of cellular atrophy
D) A benign inflammatory response
Answer B: The actual resultant mass or lesion of abnormal proliferation, commonly referred to as a
"new growth" or tumor
Rationale: A neoplasm is the mass or lesion that results from neoplastic proliferation, which can be benign
or malignant.
3. A neoplasm that is non-invasive and localized is best described as:
A) Malignant
B) Benign
,C) Dysplastic
D) Metastatic
Answer B: Benign
Rationale: Benign neoplasms remain localized and do not invade surrounding tissues or metastasize.
4. Proliferation is best defined as:
A) The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized
B) The process of cell division leading to an increase in cell number
C) The programmed death of cells
D) The replacement of one cell type with another
Answer B: The process of cell division leading to an increase in cell number
Rationale: Proliferation is essential for normal tissue growth, repair, and replacement of lost cells.
5. Differentiation refers to:
A) The process of cell division leading to an increase in cell number
B) The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function
C) The abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells
D) The process of tissue repair through fibrosis
Answer B: The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function
Rationale: Differentiation involves changes in gene expression that allow cells to acquire specific structures
and functions.
6. Pathologic disturbances in either proliferation or differentiation are central to:
A) Inflammatory disorders
B) Neoplastic disorders
C) Autoimmune disorders
D) Degenerative disorders
Answer B: Neoplastic disorders
Rationale: In cancer, cells proliferate uncontrollably and fail to differentiate properly.
7. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of malignant neoplasms?
A) Invasiveness
, B) Ability to metastasize
C) Well-defined borders
D) Anaplasia
Answer C: Well-defined borders
Rationale: Malignant neoplasms are characterized by invasiveness, metastasis, and anaplasia; benign
neoplasms typically have well-defined borders.
8. A tissue biopsy is vital in cancer diagnosis because it:
A) Identifies genetic mutations only
B) Enables microscopic evaluation of cellular morphology and tissue architecture to confirm malignancy and
identify the histologic subtype
C) Determines the stage of cancer
D) Assesses response to treatment
Answer B: Enables microscopic evaluation of cellular morphology and tissue architecture to confirm
malignancy and identify the histologic subtype
Rationale: Biopsy provides histologic and cytologic assessment essential for accurate cancer diagnosis and
guiding management.
9. List two signs or symptoms that might indicate a cancer diagnosis.
A) Unexplained bleeding and unintentional weight loss
B) Headache and muscle aches
C) Fever and rash
D) Nausea and diarrhea
Answer A: Unexplained bleeding and unintentional weight loss
Rationale: Unexplained bleeding, non-healing sores, masses, and unintentional weight loss are common
warning signs of cancer.
10. What are two common side effects experienced by cancer patients?
A) Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome and fatigue/anemia
B) Hypertension and tachycardia
C) Polyuria and polydipsia
D) Hyperglycemia and weight gain
Answer A: Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome and fatigue/anemia
