NMNC 2410 – Health and Illness III
Exam # 1 – Spring 2026
Concept/Exemplar/Skills Number of Questions
Cellular Regulation 29
Cancer Overview: (6 questions)
Know difference of prophylaxis, curative, and palliative care and
surgeries
Prophylaxis: measures/ actions taken to preserve health. An example
would be prophylactic mastectomy to prevent development of breast
cancer in patients with BRCA genes.
Curative: aimed at curing a disease/ illness/ condition
An example would be surgery, chemo, radiation
Palliative care: aimed at optimizing quality of life and mitigating suffering,
symptom control/ relief. An example would be radiation to reduce tumor
size in order to relieve pain.
Surgeries: partial (debulking) or total removal of tumors, resections,
mastectomy, reconstructive, prophylaxis, biopsy, diagnosis and staging
Risk factors associated with development of neoplasms
Age (#1 risk factor, 75% of all new cancer diag occurs in > or = 55 yo
Smoking (30 % of all cancer deaths in US)
Radiation (solar and medical)
Hormones
Carcinogens/ chemical exposure
Infections (18 % of all cancers globally – HPV, Epstein Barr, hepatitis)
Genetic risk factors – approx. 5-10% have strong hereditary risks. Breast
cancer, prostate, ovarian and pancreatic (BRCA 1&2 – 40-80%)
Virus exposure – hep 1 and HIV
Alcohol, obesity, diabetes
Racial and social disparities
Warning signs: know the mnemonic C.A.U.T.I.O.N.
C change in bowel or bladder
A A sore that will not heal
U Unusual bleeding or discharge
T Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
I Indigestion or difficulty swallowing; N/V
O Obvious change in wart or mole
N Nagging cough/ hoarseness
Primary and secondary prevention
PRIMARY:
Healthy diet
Regular physical exercise
Good sleep (6-8 hours a night)
Manage stress
Maintain normal weight
, NMNC 2410 – Health and Illness III
Exam # 1 – Spring 2026
Regular physical exams
Smoking cessation
Avoidance of excessive exposure to sunlight
Prophylactic surgery
SECONDARY:
Screening/ early detection
Mammogram/ clinical breast exam
Pap smear
Colonoscopy/ fecal testing
Prostate screening
Therapeutic communication
Est a trusting relationship: be present and empathetic
Understanding and acknowledge the patient’s feelings and experiences
such as “that sounds really challenging, how are you coping with that?”
Use clear/ compassionate language
Avoid medical jargon, check for understanding, be truthful but gentle
Actively listen – reflect and validate
Offer support and reassurance and provide emotional support, encourage
questions/ ask open ended questions watch for nonverbal cues – body
language, adjust approach prn
Respect their autonomy – include them in decision making, support their
decisions.
Provide practical support by addressing concerns, offering referrals,
resources, encourage support networks. Be aware of cultural sensitivities
like beliefs and values, adjust communication and approach as needed.
Diagnostic testing/procedures and lab values associated with cancer:
(4 questions)
Radiographs i.e. x-rays, and mammography (detection of
neoplasm/metastasis)
Chest xrays; radiographic studies such as mammography, ultrasound, CT
scan, MRI, PET scan, radioisotope scans. Provides visualization of tumors/
their borders, can detect metastasis to other body structures. Direct
visualization: colonoscopy, endoscopy
Lab studies:
Values associated with chemotherapy treatment or neoplastic
disease (pancytopenia)
CBC (pancytopenia) * neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and +
guaiac
Chemistry panel (Hyperca+, HypoNa+)
Genetic testing (tumor marker tests like BRCA)
Ca+
CEA
PSA
Check liver function tests ie liver cancer? Metastasis?
Pancytopenia (neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia)
+ Guaiac (Cologuard, detects blood in stool)
Exam # 1 – Spring 2026
Concept/Exemplar/Skills Number of Questions
Cellular Regulation 29
Cancer Overview: (6 questions)
Know difference of prophylaxis, curative, and palliative care and
surgeries
Prophylaxis: measures/ actions taken to preserve health. An example
would be prophylactic mastectomy to prevent development of breast
cancer in patients with BRCA genes.
Curative: aimed at curing a disease/ illness/ condition
An example would be surgery, chemo, radiation
Palliative care: aimed at optimizing quality of life and mitigating suffering,
symptom control/ relief. An example would be radiation to reduce tumor
size in order to relieve pain.
Surgeries: partial (debulking) or total removal of tumors, resections,
mastectomy, reconstructive, prophylaxis, biopsy, diagnosis and staging
Risk factors associated with development of neoplasms
Age (#1 risk factor, 75% of all new cancer diag occurs in > or = 55 yo
Smoking (30 % of all cancer deaths in US)
Radiation (solar and medical)
Hormones
Carcinogens/ chemical exposure
Infections (18 % of all cancers globally – HPV, Epstein Barr, hepatitis)
Genetic risk factors – approx. 5-10% have strong hereditary risks. Breast
cancer, prostate, ovarian and pancreatic (BRCA 1&2 – 40-80%)
Virus exposure – hep 1 and HIV
Alcohol, obesity, diabetes
Racial and social disparities
Warning signs: know the mnemonic C.A.U.T.I.O.N.
C change in bowel or bladder
A A sore that will not heal
U Unusual bleeding or discharge
T Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
I Indigestion or difficulty swallowing; N/V
O Obvious change in wart or mole
N Nagging cough/ hoarseness
Primary and secondary prevention
PRIMARY:
Healthy diet
Regular physical exercise
Good sleep (6-8 hours a night)
Manage stress
Maintain normal weight
, NMNC 2410 – Health and Illness III
Exam # 1 – Spring 2026
Regular physical exams
Smoking cessation
Avoidance of excessive exposure to sunlight
Prophylactic surgery
SECONDARY:
Screening/ early detection
Mammogram/ clinical breast exam
Pap smear
Colonoscopy/ fecal testing
Prostate screening
Therapeutic communication
Est a trusting relationship: be present and empathetic
Understanding and acknowledge the patient’s feelings and experiences
such as “that sounds really challenging, how are you coping with that?”
Use clear/ compassionate language
Avoid medical jargon, check for understanding, be truthful but gentle
Actively listen – reflect and validate
Offer support and reassurance and provide emotional support, encourage
questions/ ask open ended questions watch for nonverbal cues – body
language, adjust approach prn
Respect their autonomy – include them in decision making, support their
decisions.
Provide practical support by addressing concerns, offering referrals,
resources, encourage support networks. Be aware of cultural sensitivities
like beliefs and values, adjust communication and approach as needed.
Diagnostic testing/procedures and lab values associated with cancer:
(4 questions)
Radiographs i.e. x-rays, and mammography (detection of
neoplasm/metastasis)
Chest xrays; radiographic studies such as mammography, ultrasound, CT
scan, MRI, PET scan, radioisotope scans. Provides visualization of tumors/
their borders, can detect metastasis to other body structures. Direct
visualization: colonoscopy, endoscopy
Lab studies:
Values associated with chemotherapy treatment or neoplastic
disease (pancytopenia)
CBC (pancytopenia) * neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and +
guaiac
Chemistry panel (Hyperca+, HypoNa+)
Genetic testing (tumor marker tests like BRCA)
Ca+
CEA
PSA
Check liver function tests ie liver cancer? Metastasis?
Pancytopenia (neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia)
+ Guaiac (Cologuard, detects blood in stool)
