OCN (ONCOLOGY CERTIFIED NURSE) – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Care Financing and Health Care Systems
Health Promotion, Screening, and Early Detection
Scientific Basis for Practice
Treatment Modalities
Symptom Management
Psychosocial Dimensions of Care
Oncologic Emergencies
Survivorship
End-of-Life Care
Professional Performance
Introduction
The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the clinical proficiency
and specialized knowledge required for oncology nursing certification. This
,examination focuses on the multidimensional care of individuals with cancer across
the entire continuum, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment, survivorship, and
end-of-life care. The assessment utilizes a blend of foundational multiple-choice
questions and complex scenario-based items designed to test real-world application,
critical thinking, and clinical decision-making. By simulating the rigor of the actual
certification environment, this document ensures that candidates demonstrate
mastery in evidence-based practice, patient safety, and the ethical standards
essential for the oncology professional.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A patient with lung cancer is scheduled to receive a dose of cisplatin. Which of
the following laboratory values is the priority for the nurse to review before
administration?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum creatinine
C. Hemoglobin level
D. Platelet count
🟢 Correct answer B. Serum creatinine
,🔴 RATIONALE: Cisplatin is highly nephrotoxic; monitoring renal function through
serum creatinine and ensuring adequate hydration is critical to prevent acute kidney
injury.
2. Which of the following is considered a primary prevention strategy for skin
cancer?
A. Annual skin examinations by a dermatologist
B. Self-skin assessments every month
C. Consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen
D. Biopsy of suspicious nevi
🟢 Correct answer C. Consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen
🔴 RATIONALE: Primary prevention focuses on reducing the risk or preventing the
development of cancer; sunscreen use reduces UV exposure, whereas exams and
biopsies are secondary prevention (early detection).
3. A patient receiving external beam radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
reports a "dry mouth." Which intervention should the nurse recommend?
A. Use of an alcohol-based mouthwash
B. Sucking on sugarless lemon drops
, C. Increasing intake of caffeinated beverages
D. Limiting fluid intake to prevent drooling
🟢 Correct answer B. Sucking on sugarless lemon drops
🔴 RATIONALE: Xerostomia is a common side effect of radiation to the head and
neck; sugarless candies or artificial saliva help stimulate moisture without causing the
dental caries associated with sugar.
4. When educating a patient about the side effects of doxorubicin, which specific
organ toxicity must the nurse emphasize?
A. Pulmonary fibrosis
B. Nephrotoxicity
C. Ototoxicity
D. Cardiotoxicity
🟢 Correct answer D. Cardiotoxicity
🔴 RATIONALE: Doxorubicin is an anthracycline known for its dose-dependent risk
of permanent heart muscle damage and congestive heart failure.
5. A patient with breast cancer is prescribed tamoxifen. The nurse should instruct
the patient to immediately report which of the following symptoms?
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Care Financing and Health Care Systems
Health Promotion, Screening, and Early Detection
Scientific Basis for Practice
Treatment Modalities
Symptom Management
Psychosocial Dimensions of Care
Oncologic Emergencies
Survivorship
End-of-Life Care
Professional Performance
Introduction
The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the clinical proficiency
and specialized knowledge required for oncology nursing certification. This
,examination focuses on the multidimensional care of individuals with cancer across
the entire continuum, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment, survivorship, and
end-of-life care. The assessment utilizes a blend of foundational multiple-choice
questions and complex scenario-based items designed to test real-world application,
critical thinking, and clinical decision-making. By simulating the rigor of the actual
certification environment, this document ensures that candidates demonstrate
mastery in evidence-based practice, patient safety, and the ethical standards
essential for the oncology professional.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A patient with lung cancer is scheduled to receive a dose of cisplatin. Which of
the following laboratory values is the priority for the nurse to review before
administration?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum creatinine
C. Hemoglobin level
D. Platelet count
🟢 Correct answer B. Serum creatinine
,🔴 RATIONALE: Cisplatin is highly nephrotoxic; monitoring renal function through
serum creatinine and ensuring adequate hydration is critical to prevent acute kidney
injury.
2. Which of the following is considered a primary prevention strategy for skin
cancer?
A. Annual skin examinations by a dermatologist
B. Self-skin assessments every month
C. Consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen
D. Biopsy of suspicious nevi
🟢 Correct answer C. Consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen
🔴 RATIONALE: Primary prevention focuses on reducing the risk or preventing the
development of cancer; sunscreen use reduces UV exposure, whereas exams and
biopsies are secondary prevention (early detection).
3. A patient receiving external beam radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
reports a "dry mouth." Which intervention should the nurse recommend?
A. Use of an alcohol-based mouthwash
B. Sucking on sugarless lemon drops
, C. Increasing intake of caffeinated beverages
D. Limiting fluid intake to prevent drooling
🟢 Correct answer B. Sucking on sugarless lemon drops
🔴 RATIONALE: Xerostomia is a common side effect of radiation to the head and
neck; sugarless candies or artificial saliva help stimulate moisture without causing the
dental caries associated with sugar.
4. When educating a patient about the side effects of doxorubicin, which specific
organ toxicity must the nurse emphasize?
A. Pulmonary fibrosis
B. Nephrotoxicity
C. Ototoxicity
D. Cardiotoxicity
🟢 Correct answer D. Cardiotoxicity
🔴 RATIONALE: Doxorubicin is an anthracycline known for its dose-dependent risk
of permanent heart muscle damage and congestive heart failure.
5. A patient with breast cancer is prescribed tamoxifen. The nurse should instruct
the patient to immediately report which of the following symptoms?
