Latest Updated Pathology Interview Questions
1. What is a “gene expression signature” for a tumor?
A collection of genes that are expressed consistently higher or lower in the tumor than is the population norm for non-tumorous tissue of the same type.
2. What are the benefits of high-throughput expression analysis in molecular biological investigations?
These techniques allow simultaneous analysis of the expression of many genes. Patterns of increased or decreased expression is associated with disease may then be identified and may contribute to improved diagnosis and prognosis.
3. To what 2 aspects of a usability assessment should the word “representative” apply?
(1) Representative tasks
(2) Representative users
4. Dr Jones is a pathologist who has recently developed a virtual microscope program for teenagers to use while they are hospitalized. He thinks that teens might use this program to learn more about their illness and the role that pathology plays in the hospital. He has heard that usability is important, so he asks a few of his colleagues to try the program out in their free time and to e-mail their comments to him. Describe 3 specific things that Dr Jones should have done differently in order; to more appropriately assess the usability of his program.
(1) Have teens test the program, not physicians;
(2) select specific representative tasks for the assessment (not just “try the program out”); and
(3) observe the participants using the program and have them think aloud during the session rather than e-mail comments.
5. There are about 40 000 human genes and ESTs (expressed sequence tags) available on the Affymetrix Gene Chips for gene expression. Make some reasonable assumptions and estimate, for a normal organ, the number of genes that will appear to be expressed significantly greater than or less than the population norm (95% confidence interval).
If we assume that each gene is independent and occurs in a normally distributed population, then one might expect approximately 5% of 40 000 or 2000 genes to appear over expressed or under expressed.
6. In ionizing radiation, cells in G1 phase of the cell cycle are most sensitive?
False
7. In ionizing radiation, mitosis does not occur in irradiated cells?
False
8. In ionizing radiation, cells experiencing hypoxia are vulnerable to radiation damage?
False
9. In ionizing radiation granulation tissue, formation is delayed in wounds, which have been radiated?
True
10. In ionizing radiation, undifferentiated tumors are usually more sensitive to radiation than differentiated tumors.
True
11. Early suture removal does not affect the granulomatous response.
False
12. Monocytes clean the debris left by phagocytes.
True
13. The epidermal and dermal epithelia grow downwards along the suture track.
True
14. Fibroblasts have a contractile function, which helps to produce a small scar.
True
15. The wound site becomes vascular as time passes.
False
16. Gangrene refers to tissue necrosis with or without infection.
False
17. Acute inflammation usually occurs around necrotic tissues.
True
18. Apoptosis does not usually cause inflammation.
True
19. Autolytic changes in the nucleus are pathognomonic of necrosis.
True
20. The blood vessels surrounding an acutely inflamed site usually show progressive vasodilatation from the time of injury.
False
21. With regard to cell growth, ionizing radiation can cause atrophy.
True
22. With regard to cell growth, hypocalcaemia can lead to enlargement of the parathyroid gland.
True
23. With regard to cell growth, the main stimulus for hypertrophy is hormonal
False
24. With regard to cell growth, in metaplasia, there is a change of a type of differentiated cell to a type of undifferentiated cell
False
25. With regard to cell growth, achondroplasia does not affect membranous bone
True
26. During wound healing, the inflammation is greater for catgut than nylon
True
27. During wound healing, with absorbable suture, the wound strength decreases from the time of suturing.
True
28. During wound healing, in scurvy the wound is weak due to increased activity of collagenase.
False
29. During wound healing, in infected wound collagen lysis is increase.
True
30. During wound healing, during collagen synthesis, lysine and proline are directly incorporated into the collagen molecules.
False
31. Atherosclerosis occurs in the retinal artery.
False
32. In atherosclerosis, foamy macrophages are seen in type I plaque.
False
33. In atherosclerosis, thinning of the intima is a feature.
False
34. In atherosclerosis, proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the intima is typical.
True
35. In atherosclerosis, raised HDL is associated with atherosclerosis.
False
36. Protein C deficiency may cause central retinal vein occlusion in a young patient.
True
37. Excess protein S may cause central retinal vein occlusion in a young patient.
False
38. Antithrombin III deficiency may cause central retinal vein occlusion in a young patient.
True
39. Atrial fibrillation may cause central retinal vein occlusion in a young patient.
False
40. Factor V Leiden mutation may cause central retinal vein occlusion in a young patient.
True
41. In cerebral infarction, the area of infarct tends to be wedge-shaped.
True
42. Cerebral infarction can result from thrombosis of the external carotid artery disease.
False
43. In cerebral infarction, coagulative necrosis occurs in the brain tissue.
False
44. In cerebral infarction, cortical blindness can result from infarction of the anterior cerebral artery.
False
45. In cerebral infarction, the necrotic tissue is eventually replaced by Schwann cells.
False
46. Phthsical eye can give rise to metastatic calcification.
False
47. Sarcoidosis can give rise to metastatic calcification.
True
48. Renal failure can give rise to metastatic calcification.
True
49. Pulmonary tuberculosis can give rise to metastatic calcification.
False
50. Multiple myeloma can give rise to metastatic calcification.
True
51. In the presence of inflammation, platelets are raised.
True
52. In the presence of inflammation, ferritins are raised.
True
53. In the presence of inflammation, caeruloplasmin are raised.
True
54. In the presence of inflammation, fibrinogens are raised.
True
55. In the presence of inflammation, complement proteins are raised.
True
56. Hyperplasia results in increased cell size.
True
57. Hyperplasia results in increased cell numbers.
True
58. Hyperplasia occurs in corneal endothelium.
False
59. Hyperplasia occurs in retinal pigment epithelium.
True
60. Hyperplasia occurs in myocardium.
False
61. Amyloid occurs in chronic inflammatory disorders.
True
62. Amyloid occurs in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.
True
63. Amyloid is a basophilic substance, which can be stained with Congo red.
False
64. Amyloid weakens the walls of blood vessels.
True
65. Amyloid causes renal failure.
True
66. Hamartoma is usually present at birth.
True
67. Hamartoma contains cells from all three germ layers.
False
68. Hamartoma does not predispose to malignancy.
True
69. Hamartoma contains metaplastic cell types.
False
70. Aadenoma sebaceum seen in tuberous sclerosis is a type of hamartoma.
True
71. Solar keratosis predisposes the squamous cell carcinoma.
True
72. Bowens disease predisposes the squamous cell carcinoma.
True
73. Chronic eczema predisposes the squamous cell carcinoma.
False
74. Chronic ulceration predisposes the squamous cell carcinoma.
True
75. Keratoacanthoma predispose the squamous cell carcinoma.
False
76. In sickle cell disease, the disorder is a single gene disorder.
True
77. In sickle cell disease, carrier has normal blood test.
False
78. In sickle cell disease, the abnormality involves the alpha chain of the globin molecule.
False
79. In sickle cell disease, there is absence of HbA.
True
80. In sickle cell disease, sickle cell crisis does not affect carrier of the disease.
False
81. Bowens disease causes increased risk of skin malignancy.
True
82. Solar keratosis causes increased risk of skin malignancy.
True
83. Aacanthosis nigricans causes increased risk of skin malignancy.
False
84. Squamous papilloma causes increased risk of skin malignancy.
False
85. Keratoacanthoma causes increased risk of skin malignancy.
False
86. Keratoacanthoma is also called molluscum sebaceum.
True
87. Keratoacanthoma usually remits spontaneously without leaving scar.
False
88. Keratoacanthoma is caused by a poxvirus.
False
89. In Keratoacanthoma, central necrosis is uncommon.
False
90. Keratoacanthoma is histologically difficult to distinguish from squamous cell carcinoma.
True
91. Abnormalities of blood clotting occur in patients taking brufen.
True
92. Abnormalities of blood clotting occur in thalassaemia.
False
93. Abnormalities of blood clotting occur in sickle cell disease?
False
94. Abnormalities of blood clotting occur in Christmas disease?
True
95. Abnormalities of blood clotting occur in von Willebrands disease.
True
96. Berry aneurysm is most often found in the circle of Willis.
True
97. Berry aneurysms result from atheroma.
False
98. Berry aneurysms are associated with diabetes mellitus.
False
99. Berry aneurysms are associated with polycystic renal disease.
True
100. In corneal transplantation in the UK, whole eye is kept in the culture medium in the eye bank.
False