Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

What is the least accurate statement regarding colorectal cancer?

1. Signs and symptoms often don't develop until the cancer is advanced.

2. Left colon tumors cause abdominal pain and cramping.

3. Early-stage right colon tumors typically don't cause signs or symptoms.

4. Exploratory surgery is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

The correct answer is: Exploratory surgery is needed to confirm the diagnosis.

The statement that exploratory surgery is needed to confirm the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is the least accurate. While surgical procedures can be part of the diagnostic process for colorectal cancer, they are not the only or first-line method for confirmation. In many cases, a diagnosis can be made using non-invasive techniques such as imaging studies (CT scans, MRI, etc.) and diagnostic colonoscopy with biopsy, where a sample of tissue can be taken and examined for cancer cells. The other statements accurately reflect aspects of colorectal cancer. For instance, signs and symptoms often do not manifest until the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage, making early detection challenging. Additionally, left-sided colon tumors are indeed associated with symptoms like abdominal pain and cramping, while early-stage right colon tumors frequently go unnoticed and do not cause significant symptoms, further emphasizing the distinction in clinical presentation based on tumor location.