Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Individual and Family Homeostasis, Stress, and Adaptation related questions and content

How would the nurse practitioner explain this condition to the patient?

  • A. Hyperplasia is the abnormal decrease in cell and organ size and is a precursor to cancer.
  • B. Hyperplasia is an abnormal increase in new cells and is reversible with the stimulus for cell growth removed.
  • C. Hyperplasia is the change in appearance of the thyroid due to a chronic irritation and will reverse with the stimulus removed.
  • D. Hyperplasia is a cancerous growth and will be removed surgically.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of new cells in an organ or tissue. This is due to increased mitotic stimulation from the additional cell division, and this, in turn, enlarges the tissue. Hyperplasia is reversible when the stimulus for cell growth is removed. Hyperplasia is the increase in the number of new cells, not a change in size or appearance. Hyperplasia is the increase in the number of new cells, which may or may not be cancerous growth.