Oncology Exam | Questions And
Answers | Latest Exam 2026-2027 |
100% Guaranteed Pass | Graded A+
The public health nurse is presenting a health-promotion class to a group at a local
community center. Which intervention most directly addresses the leading cause of
cancer deaths in North America?
A)Monthly self-breast exams
B)Smoking cessation
C)Annual colonoscopies
D)Monthly testicular exams -ANSWER B - Cancer is second only to cardiovascular
disease as a leading cause of death in the United States. Although the numbers of
cancer deaths have decreased slightly, more than 570,000 Americans were expected to
die from a malignant process in 2011. The leading causes of cancer death in the United
States, in order of frequency, are lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer in men and lung,
breast, and colorectal cancer in women, so smoking cessation is the health promotion
initiative directly related to lung cancer.
A nurse who works in an oncology clinic is assessing a patient who has arrived for a 2-
month follow-up appointment following chemotherapy. The nurse notes that the patients
skin appears yellow. Which blood tests should be done to further explore this clinical
sign?
A)Liver function tests (LFTs)
B)Complete blood count (CBC)
C)Platelet count
D)Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine -ANSWER A - Yellow skin is a sign of jaundice and
the liver is a common organ affected by metastatic disease. An LFT should be done to
determine if the liver is functioning. A CBC, platelet count and tests of renal function
would not directly assess for liver disease.
The school nurse is teaching a nutrition class in the local high school. One student
states that he has heard that certain foods can increase the incidence of cancer. The
nurse responds, Research has shown that certain foods indeed appear to increase the
risk of cancer. Which of the following menu selections would be the best choice for
potentially reducing the risks of cancer?
A)Smoked salmon and green beans
B)Pork chops and fried green tomatoes
C)Baked apricot chicken and steamed broccoli
D)Liver, onions, and steamed peas -ANSWER C - Fruits and vegetables appear to
reduce cancer risk. Salt-cured foods, such as ham and processed meats, as well as red
meats, should be limited.
,Traditionally, nurses have been involved with tertiary cancer prevention. However, an
increasing emphasis is being placed on both primary and secondary prevention. What
would be an example of primary prevention?
A)Yearly Pap tests
B)Testicular self-examination
C)Teaching patients to wear sunscreen
D)Screening mammograms -ANSWER C - Primary prevention is concerned with reducing
the risks of cancer in healthy people through practices such as use of sunscreen.
Secondary prevention involves detection and screening to achieve early diagnosis, as
demonstrated by Pap tests, mammograms, and testicular exams.
The nurse is caring for a 39-year-old woman with a family history of breast cancer. She
requested a breast tumor marking test and the results have come back positive. As a
result, the patient is requesting a bilateral mastectomy. This surgery is an example of
what type of oncologic surgery?
A)Salvage surgery
B)Palliative surgery
C)Prophylactic surgery
D)Reconstructive surgery -ANSWER C - Prophylactic surgery is used when there is an
extensive family history and nonvital tissues are removed. Salvage surgery is an
additional treatment option that uses an extensive surgical approach to treat the local
recurrence of a cancer after the use of a less extensive primary approach. Palliative
surgery is performed in an attempt to relieve complications of cancer, such as
ulceration, obstruction, hemorrhage, pain, and malignant effusion. Reconstructive
surgery may follow curative or radical surgery in an attempt to improve function or
obtain a more desirable cosmetic effect.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is to begin receiving external radiation for a
malignant tumor of the neck. While providing patient education, what potential adverse
effects should the nurse discuss with the patient?
A)Impaired nutritional status
B)Cognitive changes
C)Diarrhea
D)Alopecia -ANSWER A - Alterations in oral mucosa, change and loss of taste, pain, and
dysphasia often occur as a result of radiotherapy to the head and neck. The patient is at
an increased risk of impaired nutritional status. Radiotherapy does not cause cognitive
changes. Diarrhea is not a likely concern for this patient. Radiation only results in
alopecia when targeted at the whole brain; radiation of other parts of the body does not
lead to hair loss.
While a patient is receiving IV doxorubicin hydrochloride for the treatment of cancer, the
nurse observes swelling and pain at the IV site. The nurse should prioritize what action?
A)Stopping the administration of the drug immediately
B)Notifying the patients physician
C)Continuing the infusion but decreasing the rate
, D)Applying a warm compress to the infusion site -ANSWER A - Doxorubicin
hydrochloride is a chemotherapeutic vesicant that can cause severe tissue damage.
The nurse should stop the administration of the drug immediately and then notify the
patients physician. Ice can be applied to the site once the drug therapy has stopped.
A patient newly diagnosed with cancer is scheduled to begin chemotherapy treatment
and the nurse is providing anticipatory guidance about potential adverse effects. When
addressing the most common adverse effect, what should the nurse describe?
A)Pruritis (itching)
B)Nausea and vomiting
C)Altered glucose metabolism
D)Confusion -ANSWER B - Nausea and vomiting, the most common side effects of
chemotherapy, may persist for as long as 24 to 48 hours after its administration.
Antiemetic drugs are frequently prescribed for these patients. Confusion, alterations in
glucose metabolism, and pruritis are not common adverse effects.
A patient on the oncology unit is receiving carmustine, a chemotherapy agent, and the
nurse is aware that a significant side effect of this medication is thrombocytopenia.
Which symptom should the nurse assess for in patients at risk for thrombocytopenia?
A)Interrupted sleep pattern
B)Hot flashes
C)Epistaxis (nose bleed)
D)Increased weight -ANSWER C - Patients with thrombocytopenia are at risk for bleeding
due to decreased platelet counts. Patients with thrombocytopenia do not exhibit
interrupted sleep pattern, hot flashes, or increased weight.
The nurse is orienting a new nurse to the oncology unit. When reviewing the safe
administration of antineoplastic agents, what action should the nurse emphasize?
A)Adjust the dose to the patients present symptoms.
B)Wash hands with an alcohol-based cleanser following administration.
C)Use gloves and a lab coat when preparing the medication.
D)Dispose of the antineoplastic wastes in the hazardous waste receptacle. -ANSWER D -
The nurse should use surgical gloves and disposable long-sleeved gowns when
administering antineoplastic agents. The antineoplastic wastes are disposed of as
hazardous materials. Dosages are not adjusted on a short-term basis. Hand and arm
hygiene must be performed before and after administering the medication.
A nurse provides care on a bone marrow transplant unit and is preparing a female
patient for a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) the following day. What
information should the nurse emphasize to the patients family and friends?
A)Your family should likely gather at the bedside in case theres a negative outcome.
B)Make sure she doesnt eat any food in the 24 hours before the procedure.
C)Wear a hospital gown when you go into the patients room.
D)Do not visit if youve had a recent infection. -ANSWER D - Before HSCT, patients are at
a high risk for infection, sepsis, and bleeding. Visitors should not visit if they have had a
recent illness or vaccination. Gowns should indeed be worn, but this is secondary in
Answers | Latest Exam 2026-2027 |
100% Guaranteed Pass | Graded A+
The public health nurse is presenting a health-promotion class to a group at a local
community center. Which intervention most directly addresses the leading cause of
cancer deaths in North America?
A)Monthly self-breast exams
B)Smoking cessation
C)Annual colonoscopies
D)Monthly testicular exams -ANSWER B - Cancer is second only to cardiovascular
disease as a leading cause of death in the United States. Although the numbers of
cancer deaths have decreased slightly, more than 570,000 Americans were expected to
die from a malignant process in 2011. The leading causes of cancer death in the United
States, in order of frequency, are lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer in men and lung,
breast, and colorectal cancer in women, so smoking cessation is the health promotion
initiative directly related to lung cancer.
A nurse who works in an oncology clinic is assessing a patient who has arrived for a 2-
month follow-up appointment following chemotherapy. The nurse notes that the patients
skin appears yellow. Which blood tests should be done to further explore this clinical
sign?
A)Liver function tests (LFTs)
B)Complete blood count (CBC)
C)Platelet count
D)Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine -ANSWER A - Yellow skin is a sign of jaundice and
the liver is a common organ affected by metastatic disease. An LFT should be done to
determine if the liver is functioning. A CBC, platelet count and tests of renal function
would not directly assess for liver disease.
The school nurse is teaching a nutrition class in the local high school. One student
states that he has heard that certain foods can increase the incidence of cancer. The
nurse responds, Research has shown that certain foods indeed appear to increase the
risk of cancer. Which of the following menu selections would be the best choice for
potentially reducing the risks of cancer?
A)Smoked salmon and green beans
B)Pork chops and fried green tomatoes
C)Baked apricot chicken and steamed broccoli
D)Liver, onions, and steamed peas -ANSWER C - Fruits and vegetables appear to
reduce cancer risk. Salt-cured foods, such as ham and processed meats, as well as red
meats, should be limited.
,Traditionally, nurses have been involved with tertiary cancer prevention. However, an
increasing emphasis is being placed on both primary and secondary prevention. What
would be an example of primary prevention?
A)Yearly Pap tests
B)Testicular self-examination
C)Teaching patients to wear sunscreen
D)Screening mammograms -ANSWER C - Primary prevention is concerned with reducing
the risks of cancer in healthy people through practices such as use of sunscreen.
Secondary prevention involves detection and screening to achieve early diagnosis, as
demonstrated by Pap tests, mammograms, and testicular exams.
The nurse is caring for a 39-year-old woman with a family history of breast cancer. She
requested a breast tumor marking test and the results have come back positive. As a
result, the patient is requesting a bilateral mastectomy. This surgery is an example of
what type of oncologic surgery?
A)Salvage surgery
B)Palliative surgery
C)Prophylactic surgery
D)Reconstructive surgery -ANSWER C - Prophylactic surgery is used when there is an
extensive family history and nonvital tissues are removed. Salvage surgery is an
additional treatment option that uses an extensive surgical approach to treat the local
recurrence of a cancer after the use of a less extensive primary approach. Palliative
surgery is performed in an attempt to relieve complications of cancer, such as
ulceration, obstruction, hemorrhage, pain, and malignant effusion. Reconstructive
surgery may follow curative or radical surgery in an attempt to improve function or
obtain a more desirable cosmetic effect.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is to begin receiving external radiation for a
malignant tumor of the neck. While providing patient education, what potential adverse
effects should the nurse discuss with the patient?
A)Impaired nutritional status
B)Cognitive changes
C)Diarrhea
D)Alopecia -ANSWER A - Alterations in oral mucosa, change and loss of taste, pain, and
dysphasia often occur as a result of radiotherapy to the head and neck. The patient is at
an increased risk of impaired nutritional status. Radiotherapy does not cause cognitive
changes. Diarrhea is not a likely concern for this patient. Radiation only results in
alopecia when targeted at the whole brain; radiation of other parts of the body does not
lead to hair loss.
While a patient is receiving IV doxorubicin hydrochloride for the treatment of cancer, the
nurse observes swelling and pain at the IV site. The nurse should prioritize what action?
A)Stopping the administration of the drug immediately
B)Notifying the patients physician
C)Continuing the infusion but decreasing the rate
, D)Applying a warm compress to the infusion site -ANSWER A - Doxorubicin
hydrochloride is a chemotherapeutic vesicant that can cause severe tissue damage.
The nurse should stop the administration of the drug immediately and then notify the
patients physician. Ice can be applied to the site once the drug therapy has stopped.
A patient newly diagnosed with cancer is scheduled to begin chemotherapy treatment
and the nurse is providing anticipatory guidance about potential adverse effects. When
addressing the most common adverse effect, what should the nurse describe?
A)Pruritis (itching)
B)Nausea and vomiting
C)Altered glucose metabolism
D)Confusion -ANSWER B - Nausea and vomiting, the most common side effects of
chemotherapy, may persist for as long as 24 to 48 hours after its administration.
Antiemetic drugs are frequently prescribed for these patients. Confusion, alterations in
glucose metabolism, and pruritis are not common adverse effects.
A patient on the oncology unit is receiving carmustine, a chemotherapy agent, and the
nurse is aware that a significant side effect of this medication is thrombocytopenia.
Which symptom should the nurse assess for in patients at risk for thrombocytopenia?
A)Interrupted sleep pattern
B)Hot flashes
C)Epistaxis (nose bleed)
D)Increased weight -ANSWER C - Patients with thrombocytopenia are at risk for bleeding
due to decreased platelet counts. Patients with thrombocytopenia do not exhibit
interrupted sleep pattern, hot flashes, or increased weight.
The nurse is orienting a new nurse to the oncology unit. When reviewing the safe
administration of antineoplastic agents, what action should the nurse emphasize?
A)Adjust the dose to the patients present symptoms.
B)Wash hands with an alcohol-based cleanser following administration.
C)Use gloves and a lab coat when preparing the medication.
D)Dispose of the antineoplastic wastes in the hazardous waste receptacle. -ANSWER D -
The nurse should use surgical gloves and disposable long-sleeved gowns when
administering antineoplastic agents. The antineoplastic wastes are disposed of as
hazardous materials. Dosages are not adjusted on a short-term basis. Hand and arm
hygiene must be performed before and after administering the medication.
A nurse provides care on a bone marrow transplant unit and is preparing a female
patient for a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) the following day. What
information should the nurse emphasize to the patients family and friends?
A)Your family should likely gather at the bedside in case theres a negative outcome.
B)Make sure she doesnt eat any food in the 24 hours before the procedure.
C)Wear a hospital gown when you go into the patients room.
D)Do not visit if youve had a recent infection. -ANSWER D - Before HSCT, patients are at
a high risk for infection, sepsis, and bleeding. Visitors should not visit if they have had a
recent illness or vaccination. Gowns should indeed be worn, but this is secondary in
