1|Page
NURS 265 ONCOLOGY EXAM 2026
## 150+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
**Cancer Epidemiology • Prevention & Screening • Diagnosis &
Staging • Chemotherapy • Radiation • Surgery • Immunotherapy •
Targeted Therapy • Symptom Management • Oncologic
Emergencies • Psychosocial Care • End-of-Life****High-Yield
Content • First-Time Pass**
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
| 1 | Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention & Screening | 1–20 |
| 2 | Cancer Biology & Pathophysiology | 21–35 |
| 3 | Diagnosis, Staging & Tumor Markers | 36–45 |
| 4 | Chemotherapy: Mechanisms, Administration & Side Effects | 46–65 |
| 5 | Radiation Therapy | 66–75 |
| 6 | Surgical Oncology & Other Modalities | 76–85 |
| 7 | Immunotherapy & Biologic Therapy | 86–95 |
| 8 | Targeted Therapy & Precision Medicine | 96–105 |
| 9 | Oncologic Emergencies | 106–120 |
| 10 | Symptom Management (Pain, Fatigue, Nausea, Cachexia) | 121–135 |
| 11 | Hematologic Cancers & Bone Marrow Transplant | 136–145 |
| 12 | Psychosocial & Palliative Care | 146–155 |
,2|Page
# SECTION 1: CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY, PREVENTION &
SCREENING – Questions 1–20
**1. A nurse is conducting a community education program about cancer
prevention. Which statement by a participant indicates correct
understanding of modifiable risk factors?**
A) "There is nothing I can do to reduce my cancer risk because it is
mostly genetic."
B) "Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of cancer in the
United States."
C) "Only older adults need to worry about cancer prevention."
D) "Sun exposure has no effect on cancer risk."
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of cancer
(responsible for approximately 30% of all cancer deaths). Modifiable
risk factors include tobacco, alcohol, diet, physical activity, obesity, sun
exposure, and certain infections (HPV, hepatitis B). Genetics plays a role
but does not negate the importance of modifiable factors .
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**2. The nurse is teaching about cancer screening guidelines. According
to the USPSTF, at what age should routine mammography screening for
breast cancer begin for average-risk women?**
A) Age 40
B) Age 45
C) Age 50
D) Age 55
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* The USPSTF 2024 draft guidelines recommend that all
women begin screening mammography every 2 years at age 40 .
Biennial screening is recommended for women aged 40-74. Shared
decision-making may be appropriate for women aged 75 and older.
Annual screening is also an option for high-risk women .
**3. The HPV vaccine is recommended for cancer prevention. Which
cancers are prevented by HPV vaccination?**
A) Cervical, oropharyngeal, anal, penile, vulvar, and vaginal cancers
B) Lung and breast cancer only
C) Colon and prostate cancer only
D) Skin cancer only
, 4|Page
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* The HPV vaccine prevents infection with high-risk HPV
types (16, 18) responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers
and a significant proportion of oropharyngeal, anal, penile, vulvar, and
vaginal cancers . The vaccine is recommended for both males and
females, typically starting at age 11-12 years.
**4. A nurse is counseling a patient about colon cancer screening. Which
test is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening?**
A) Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
B) Cologuard (stool DNA test)
C) Colonoscopy
D) Computed tomography colonography (virtual colonoscopy)
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer
screening because it allows direct visualization of the entire colon,
detection of polyps, and therapeutic intervention (polypectomy) during
the same procedure . Screening typically begins at age 45 for average-
risk adults.
NURS 265 ONCOLOGY EXAM 2026
## 150+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
**Cancer Epidemiology • Prevention & Screening • Diagnosis &
Staging • Chemotherapy • Radiation • Surgery • Immunotherapy •
Targeted Therapy • Symptom Management • Oncologic
Emergencies • Psychosocial Care • End-of-Life****High-Yield
Content • First-Time Pass**
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
| 1 | Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention & Screening | 1–20 |
| 2 | Cancer Biology & Pathophysiology | 21–35 |
| 3 | Diagnosis, Staging & Tumor Markers | 36–45 |
| 4 | Chemotherapy: Mechanisms, Administration & Side Effects | 46–65 |
| 5 | Radiation Therapy | 66–75 |
| 6 | Surgical Oncology & Other Modalities | 76–85 |
| 7 | Immunotherapy & Biologic Therapy | 86–95 |
| 8 | Targeted Therapy & Precision Medicine | 96–105 |
| 9 | Oncologic Emergencies | 106–120 |
| 10 | Symptom Management (Pain, Fatigue, Nausea, Cachexia) | 121–135 |
| 11 | Hematologic Cancers & Bone Marrow Transplant | 136–145 |
| 12 | Psychosocial & Palliative Care | 146–155 |
,2|Page
# SECTION 1: CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY, PREVENTION &
SCREENING – Questions 1–20
**1. A nurse is conducting a community education program about cancer
prevention. Which statement by a participant indicates correct
understanding of modifiable risk factors?**
A) "There is nothing I can do to reduce my cancer risk because it is
mostly genetic."
B) "Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of cancer in the
United States."
C) "Only older adults need to worry about cancer prevention."
D) "Sun exposure has no effect on cancer risk."
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of cancer
(responsible for approximately 30% of all cancer deaths). Modifiable
risk factors include tobacco, alcohol, diet, physical activity, obesity, sun
exposure, and certain infections (HPV, hepatitis B). Genetics plays a role
but does not negate the importance of modifiable factors .
,3|Page
**2. The nurse is teaching about cancer screening guidelines. According
to the USPSTF, at what age should routine mammography screening for
breast cancer begin for average-risk women?**
A) Age 40
B) Age 45
C) Age 50
D) Age 55
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* The USPSTF 2024 draft guidelines recommend that all
women begin screening mammography every 2 years at age 40 .
Biennial screening is recommended for women aged 40-74. Shared
decision-making may be appropriate for women aged 75 and older.
Annual screening is also an option for high-risk women .
**3. The HPV vaccine is recommended for cancer prevention. Which
cancers are prevented by HPV vaccination?**
A) Cervical, oropharyngeal, anal, penile, vulvar, and vaginal cancers
B) Lung and breast cancer only
C) Colon and prostate cancer only
D) Skin cancer only
, 4|Page
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* The HPV vaccine prevents infection with high-risk HPV
types (16, 18) responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers
and a significant proportion of oropharyngeal, anal, penile, vulvar, and
vaginal cancers . The vaccine is recommended for both males and
females, typically starting at age 11-12 years.
**4. A nurse is counseling a patient about colon cancer screening. Which
test is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening?**
A) Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
B) Cologuard (stool DNA test)
C) Colonoscopy
D) Computed tomography colonography (virtual colonoscopy)
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer
screening because it allows direct visualization of the entire colon,
detection of polyps, and therapeutic intervention (polypectomy) during
the same procedure . Screening typically begins at age 45 for average-
risk adults.
