Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

Which risk factor is commonly associated with an increased incidence of metastatic tumors?

1. Age

2. Low physical activity

3. History of smoking

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

The presence of metastatic tumors is often influenced by a variety of factors that can contribute to the likelihood of cancer spreading from its original site to other parts of the body. Age is a significant risk factor as the likelihood of developing various cancers increases with age due to cumulative exposure to carcinogens and the natural decline in the body’s ability to repair cellular damage. Low physical activity is also a known risk factor associated with cancer development and progression. Insufficient physical activity can lead to obesity and other related health issues, which have been linked to an increased risk of various cancers that can metastasize. A history of smoking is particularly relevant, as it has been conclusively linked to a number of cancers, especially lung cancer, and can increase the risk of these tumors metastasizing to other organs. When considering all three of these elements together, it is clear that they each contribute in their own way to the risk of developing metastatic tumors. This multifactorial approach illustrates that the risk is heightened when any one of these factors is present, and the combination of them leads to an overall increased incidence of metastatic disease.