Final answer:
A student should identify that a benign tumor does not invade other tissues, stops growing by itself, and can typically be surgically removed without harm.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse is orienting a student to the oncology setting, and the student is asked to identify a characteristic of a benign tumor, the student should recognize that a benign tumor is a mass of cells that stops growing by itself and does not invade other tissues. Unlike malignant tumors, benign tumors do not form metastases and therefore are not considered cancerous. They tend to remain encapsulated within their original location and often can be surgically removed without any harm to the patient. However, some benign tumors may have the potential to become malignant over time.