Chronic Disease Discussion Questions Related

Review Chronic Disease Discussion Questions related questions and content

An oncology nurse educator is providing health education to a patient who has been diagnosed with skin cancer. The patient's wife has asked about the differences between normal cells and cancer cells. What characteristic of a cancer cell should the educator cite?

  • A. Malignant cells contain more fibronectin than normal body cells
  • B. Malignant cells contain proteins called tumor-specific antigens
  • C. Chromosomes contained in cancer cells are more durable and stable than those of normal cells
  • D. The nuclei of cancer cells are unusually large, but regularly shaped
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Cancer cells sport tumor-specific antigens (e.g., CEA) proteins marking them as rogue, unlike normal cells. Fibronectin's less in malignant cells, aiding their slipperiness. Chromosomes are fragile and jumbled (aneuploidy), not stable. Nuclei are big and wonky (pleomorphic), not regular. Nurses in oncology education lean on this antigen trait it's why tests spot cancer and therapies target it, a clear line from normal to malignant.