Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on the Philadelphia chromosome. Do you know the answer? Let’s find out!
The nurse in the family medicine clinic is caring for a child who recently tested positive for the Philadelphia chromosome. Their caregiver asks, “What does this mean for my child?”
Which is the best response by the nurse?
A. “Your child has a chromosomal abnormality that increases their risk for developing leukemia.”
B. “This means that your child has an increased risk of retinoblastoma, a cancer of the retina.”
C. Your child was likely exposed to Epstein-Barr virus in utero, increasing their risk for lymphoma.”
D. “The Philadelphia chromosome makes it more likely your child will develop hepatocellular carcinoma later in life.”
Scroll down for the correct answer!
Check out our NCLEX-RN Study Plan Guide!
The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question is…
A. “Your child has a chromosomal abnormality that increases their risk for developing leukemia.”
Rationale: This is the best response by the nurse. Genetic changes such as chromosomal translocations, where pieces of two chromosomes split off and swap places, like with the Philadelphia chromosome, are also associated with an increased risk of leukemia, a cancer of blood-forming tissues that disrupts the normal function of bone marrow.
Main Takeaway
The cause of childhood cancer is multifactorial, meaning a child’s unique genetic factors and environmental factors interact to promote the development of cancer. Even so, these factors are often not known at the time of diagnosis, so in many cases the exact cause of cancer in children is unknown. Genetic factors involved in cancer can be mutations that are either inherited or acquired. These include mutations that typically occur in genes that regulate cell division, including proto-oncogenes, which promote cell division, or tumor suppressor genes that inhibit uncontrolled cell division. Genetic changes such as chromosomal translocations, where pieces of two chromosomes split off and swap places, like with the Philadelphia chromosome, are also associated with an increased risk of leukemia, a cancer of blood-forming tissues that disrupts the normal function of bone marrow.
Incorrect Answer Explanations
B. “This means that your child has an increased risk of retinoblastoma, a cancer of the retina.”
Rationale: This is not the best response from the nurse. Mutations in the RB1 tumor suppressor gene are associated with retinoblastoma. Therefore, this does not accurately describe the impact of having the Philadelphia chromosome.
C. Your child was likely exposed to Epstein-Barr virus in utero, increasing their risk for lymphoma.”
Rationale: This is not the best response from the nurse. Although strains of the Epstein-Barr virus are associated with Burkitt lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, this does not accurately describe the impact of having the Philadelphia chromosome.
D. “The Philadelphia chromosome makes it more likely your child will develop hepatocellular carcinoma later in life.”
Rationale: This is not the best response from the nurse. Taking anabolic androgenic steroids increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma rather than having the Philadelphia chromosome.
Want to learn more about this topic?
Watch the Osmosis video: Chromosomal aberrations
Want more NCLEX®-style practice questions? Try Osmosis today! Access your free trial and find out why millions of current and future clinicians and caregivers love learning with us.
Leave a Reply