NURS 231 Module 2 Exam Questions and Correct Answers Latest Update 2025
Define neoplasia and neoplasm: - Answers Neoplasia is a disorder of altered cell differentiation and
growth. Neoplasm is the "new growth."
Define proliferation and differentiation: - Answers 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? - Answers (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? - Answers 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? - Answers 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? - Answers 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: - Answers 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? - Answers Solid tumors and hematologic
cancers
Explain what carcinoma in situ is? - Answers Carcinoma in situ is a localized preinvasive lesion. These can
typically be surgically removed or treated, and recurrence is less likely.
What is seeding? - Answers Seeding of cancer cells into body cavities occurs when a tumor sheds cells
into these spaces. Most often seeding occurs into the peritoneal cavity, as typically seen with ovarian
cancer.
Define neoplasia and neoplasm: - Answers Neoplasia is a disorder of altered cell differentiation and
growth. Neoplasm is the "new growth."
Define proliferation and differentiation: - Answers 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? - Answers (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? - Answers 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? - Answers 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? - Answers 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: - Answers 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? - Answers Solid tumors and hematologic
cancers
Explain what carcinoma in situ is? - Answers Carcinoma in situ is a localized preinvasive lesion. These can
typically be surgically removed or treated, and recurrence is less likely.
What is seeding? - Answers Seeding of cancer cells into body cavities occurs when a tumor sheds cells
into these spaces. Most often seeding occurs into the peritoneal cavity, as typically seen with ovarian
cancer.
