AONN CERTIFICATION EXAM FINAL STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What are Cancer Costs by 2020 - ANSWER-$173 Billion
When was Affordable Care Act Passed - ANSWER-2010
What is the Affordable Care Act - ANSWER-By 1/1/14 citizens must have health ins or pay
penalty
What is NCCN Distress Thermometer - ANSWER-Tool to identify barriers and issues of distress
What is Mullan's Seasons of Survival Model - ANSWER-3 stages of survival - Acute, Extended,
Permanent
What is Bidimensional Orientation of NN Role - ANSWER-Patient-centered and healthcare
system-centered
What is the Freeman Model - ANSWER-Navigation model using community members to help
underserved and poor gain access to breast cancer screenings
What is Major Purpose of Navigation - ANSWER-Provide personal assistance in eliminating
barriers to care
What is Belmont Report and Informed Consent - ANSWER-Informed Consent is an example of
the ethical principle Autonomy
When did ONS Implemented NN Role - ANSWER-2008
Lillie's Book When - ANSWER-2011
When was Patient Navigation Research Program Formed - ANSWER-2002
What is CoC Standard 3.1 - ANSWER-ID and address a new barrier each year
What is Palliative Care - ANSWER-Symptom Management, not hospice
What is #1 of wishes in dying patients? - ANSWER-Be Kept Clean (99% of patients)
What to Expect --> Physical Condition - ANSWER-96% of patients say this is important
What % of patients wish to die at home - ANSWER-50-90%
How many patients die at home - ANSWER-10-35%
How many patients die in hospitals - ANSWER-50-60%
, What is average length of time pt receives hospice - ANSWER-5 days
What is % ICU deaths of metastatic patients - ANSWER-21%
What do patients think when they hear: "Hopeful your tumor will respond to this treatment" -
ANSWER-30-81% patients think "cure"
True/False: Being honest doesn't take away hope - ANSWER-True
What is #1 fear of entering hospice - ANSWER-Fear of abandonment by their doctor
What are 3 Phases of Hope? - ANSWER-1) miracle, 2) long life w/quality of life, 3) accepting
shortened life but still hope for quality of life
What is the mean cost of cancer care in last 6 months of life? - ANSWER-$74,000 (only 4% is
hospice)
True/False: Advanced Directives are just CPR - ANSWER-False
True/False: Poor communication is why pts don't get care they desire - ANSWER-True
What is Role of Navigation - ANSWER-Improve patient's timely access to cancer-related care
throughout the cancer continuum
When Was Term "Patient Navigation" First Coined - ANSWER-1990's by Harold Freeman in
Harlem, NY
What was increase in 5-year survival rate after Freeman's program - ANSWER-Increased from
39% to 70% in breast cancer, 94% of whom were black
What was decrease in late stage diagnosis after Freeman's program - ANSWER-Decreased from
50% to 20% for his black patients
What is World Health Org definition of health - ANSWER-"state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity"
What Does Health People 2020 say health is affected by? - ANSWER-Social determinants:
economic stability, education, neighborhood, social and community, health and healthcare
Why was first patient navigation program developed in Harlem? - ANSWER-To reduce the stage
of disease and mortality of black patients
What does 20% coinsurance mean? - ANSWER-Pay 100% of deductible and then 20% of any
remaining healthcare costs for care received
What does TNM refer to? - ANSWER-System used to stage and grade cancer
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What are Cancer Costs by 2020 - ANSWER-$173 Billion
When was Affordable Care Act Passed - ANSWER-2010
What is the Affordable Care Act - ANSWER-By 1/1/14 citizens must have health ins or pay
penalty
What is NCCN Distress Thermometer - ANSWER-Tool to identify barriers and issues of distress
What is Mullan's Seasons of Survival Model - ANSWER-3 stages of survival - Acute, Extended,
Permanent
What is Bidimensional Orientation of NN Role - ANSWER-Patient-centered and healthcare
system-centered
What is the Freeman Model - ANSWER-Navigation model using community members to help
underserved and poor gain access to breast cancer screenings
What is Major Purpose of Navigation - ANSWER-Provide personal assistance in eliminating
barriers to care
What is Belmont Report and Informed Consent - ANSWER-Informed Consent is an example of
the ethical principle Autonomy
When did ONS Implemented NN Role - ANSWER-2008
Lillie's Book When - ANSWER-2011
When was Patient Navigation Research Program Formed - ANSWER-2002
What is CoC Standard 3.1 - ANSWER-ID and address a new barrier each year
What is Palliative Care - ANSWER-Symptom Management, not hospice
What is #1 of wishes in dying patients? - ANSWER-Be Kept Clean (99% of patients)
What to Expect --> Physical Condition - ANSWER-96% of patients say this is important
What % of patients wish to die at home - ANSWER-50-90%
How many patients die at home - ANSWER-10-35%
How many patients die in hospitals - ANSWER-50-60%
, What is average length of time pt receives hospice - ANSWER-5 days
What is % ICU deaths of metastatic patients - ANSWER-21%
What do patients think when they hear: "Hopeful your tumor will respond to this treatment" -
ANSWER-30-81% patients think "cure"
True/False: Being honest doesn't take away hope - ANSWER-True
What is #1 fear of entering hospice - ANSWER-Fear of abandonment by their doctor
What are 3 Phases of Hope? - ANSWER-1) miracle, 2) long life w/quality of life, 3) accepting
shortened life but still hope for quality of life
What is the mean cost of cancer care in last 6 months of life? - ANSWER-$74,000 (only 4% is
hospice)
True/False: Advanced Directives are just CPR - ANSWER-False
True/False: Poor communication is why pts don't get care they desire - ANSWER-True
What is Role of Navigation - ANSWER-Improve patient's timely access to cancer-related care
throughout the cancer continuum
When Was Term "Patient Navigation" First Coined - ANSWER-1990's by Harold Freeman in
Harlem, NY
What was increase in 5-year survival rate after Freeman's program - ANSWER-Increased from
39% to 70% in breast cancer, 94% of whom were black
What was decrease in late stage diagnosis after Freeman's program - ANSWER-Decreased from
50% to 20% for his black patients
What is World Health Org definition of health - ANSWER-"state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity"
What Does Health People 2020 say health is affected by? - ANSWER-Social determinants:
economic stability, education, neighborhood, social and community, health and healthcare
Why was first patient navigation program developed in Harlem? - ANSWER-To reduce the stage
of disease and mortality of black patients
What does 20% coinsurance mean? - ANSWER-Pay 100% of deductible and then 20% of any
remaining healthcare costs for care received
What does TNM refer to? - ANSWER-System used to stage and grade cancer
