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Pathology Flashcards

7 cards from real BCSE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Pathology flashcards as text

  1. A 55-year-old man presents with progressive dysphagia. Biopsy shows squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Which risk factor is most strongly associated with this tumor in the US?

    Answer: Alcohol and tobacco use

    Alcohol and tobacco use are the strongest risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, particularly in the US.

  2. Which type of necrosis is characteristically seen in caseous granulomas of tuberculosis?

    Answer: Caseous necrosis

    Caseous necrosis is the hallmark of tuberculosis granulomas, appearing as soft, cheese-like amorphous debris.

  3. A patient develops a pulmonary embolism 5 days after orthopedic surgery. The embolus most commonly originates from which site?

    Answer: Deep veins of the lower extremity

    Deep veins of the lower extremity (particularly the femoral and iliac veins) are the most common source of pulmonary emboli.

  4. A 40-year-old woman with SLE develops diffuse glomerulonephritis. Immunofluorescence shows a 'full-house' pattern. Which class of lupus nephritis does this represent?

    Answer: Class IV

    Class IV (diffuse proliferative) lupus nephritis shows the most severe histologic changes and the 'full-house' immunofluorescence pattern with IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and C1q.

  5. Metaplasia of the esophageal squamous epithelium to intestinal-type columnar epithelium secondary to chronic GERD is called:

    Answer: Barrett esophagus

    Barrett esophagus is the replacement of normal esophageal squamous epithelium with specialized intestinal columnar epithelium due to chronic acid reflux.

  6. Which oncogene is characteristically amplified in neuroblastoma and correlates with poor prognosis?

    Answer: N-MYC

    N-MYC (MYCN) amplification in neuroblastoma is associated with rapid tumor progression and poor prognosis.

  7. A 65-year-old man with chronic alcoholism develops painful gynecomastia and testicular atrophy. Liver biopsy shows micronodular cirrhosis. The gynecomastia is most likely due to:

    Answer: Impaired hepatic estrogen metabolism

    Cirrhosis impairs hepatic metabolism of estrogens, leading to elevated circulating estrogen levels and gynecomastia.

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