Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Practice Exam

If mast cells are present in a bladder biopsy, which condition might the perianesthesia nurse suspect?

1. Interstitial cystitis

2. Pernicious anemia

3. Diverticulitis

4. Cholecystitis

The correct answer is: Interstitial cystitis

The presence of mast cells in a bladder biopsy is strongly associated with interstitial cystitis (IC), a chronic condition characterized by bladder discomfort and pelvic pain. Mast cells are immune cells that play a critical role in allergic responses and inflammation. In interstitial cystitis, an increase in mast cells within the bladder wall is often observed, suggesting a potential role for these cells in the pathophysiology of the condition. The inflammatory response associated with mast cells may contribute to the symptoms experienced by patients with IC, including urinary urgency, frequency, and pain. In contrast, the other listed conditions—pernicious anemia, diverticulitis, and cholecystitis—are not characterized by the presence of mast cells in bladder tissue. Pernicious anemia primarily impacts the stomach due to a deficiency in intrinsic factor affecting vitamin B12 absorption. Diverticulitis involves inflammation of diverticula in the colon, and cholecystitis refers to inflammation of the gallbladder, neither of which relate to the bladder or involve mast cells as a primary indicator. Thus, the detection of mast cells in a bladder biopsy specifically points towards a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis.