CHEMOTHERAPY AND IMMUNOTHERAPY EXAMINATION REVIEW |
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | RECENTLY UPDATED
2026/2027 PASS GUARANTEE
ONCOLOGY PHARMACOLOGY AND IMMUNOTHERAPY
1. Q: What is the primary goal of chemotherapy? ANSWER To cure cancer,
control cancer growth, or palliate symptoms by interfering with cell
replication.
2. Q: What is the Cell Cycle? ANSWER The series of events that take place
in a cell leading to its division and duplication.
3. Q: What are the four phases of the cell cycle? ANSWER G1 (Gap 1), S
(Synthesis), G2 (Gap 2), and M (Mitosis).
4. Q: What occurs during the G1 phase? ANSWER The cell grows and
synthesizes proteins necessary for DNA replication.
5. Q: What occurs during the S phase? ANSWER DNA replication takes
place (synthesis of DNA).
6. Q: What occurs during the G2 phase? ANSWER The cell prepares for
mitosis; checks for DNA errors and synthesizes proteins needed for
division.
7. Q: What occurs during the M phase? ANSWER Mitosis (nuclear division)
and cytokinesis (cytoplasmic division) occur.
8. Q: What is the G0 phase? ANSWER A resting phase where cells are not
actively dividing but can re-enter the cycle.
,9. Q: How are chemotherapeutic agents classified based on the cell cycle?
ANSWER Cell cycle-specific (active in specific phases) and cell cycle-
nonspecific (active in all phases).
10.Q: What is the Log-Kill Hypothesis? ANSWER The theory that
chemotherapy kills a constant fraction of tumor cells, not a fixed
number.
11.Q: What is "Therapeutic Index"? ANSWER The ratio between the toxic
dose and the therapeutic dose; a higher index indicates a safer drug.
12.Q: What is the mechanism of action for Alkylating agents? ANSWER
They cross-link DNA strands to prevent replication (cell cycle-
nonspecific).
13.Q: Why are Alkylating agents considered cell cycle-nonspecific?
ANSWER They damage DNA directly regardless of the phase the cell is in.
14.Q: What is the mechanism of action for Antimetabolites? ANSWER They
mimic substances needed for DNA synthesis, inhibiting the S phase.
15.Q: What is the mechanism of action for Vinca Alkaloids? ANSWER They
inhibit microtubule formation during the M phase, stopping mitosis.
16.Q: What is the mechanism of action for Taxanes? ANSWER They
stabilize microtubules, preventing their breakdown and stopping cell
division during M phase.
17.Q: What is "Tumor Lysis Syndrome" (TLS)? ANSWER A metabolic
emergency caused by the rapid lysis of cancer cells, releasing
intracellular contents.
18.Q: What lab values are elevated in Tumor Lysis Syndrome? ANSWER
Potassium, Phosphorus, Uric Acid, and Urea Nitrogen (BUN). Calcium is
low.
19.Q: Which electrolyte imbalance in TLS is most dangerous to the heart?
ANSWER Hyperkalemia (High Potassium).
20.Q: What medication is used to prevent hyperuricemia in TLS? ANSWER
Allopurinol (prevents formation) or Rasburicase (breaks down existing
uric acid).
, 21.Q: What is "Nadir"? ANSWER The lowest point in blood cell counts
(especially WBC and platelets) after chemotherapy administration.
22.Q: When does the nadir typically occur for most chemotherapies?
ANSWER 7 to 14 days after administration.
23.Q: What is the definition of "Neutropenia"? ANSWER An abnormally low
count of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell).
24.Q: What is the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) threshold for severe
neutropenia? ANSWER Less than 500 cells/mm³ (or 0.5 x 10^9/L).
25.Q: What is "Febrile Neutropenia"? ANSWER A fever > 100.4°F (38°C) or
100.9°F (38.3°C) with an ANC < 500.
26.Q: What is the primary risk associated with febrile neutropenia?
ANSWER Life-threatening infection/sepsis.
27.Q: What is the standard prophylactic treatment for febrile neutropenia?
ANSWER Administration of growth factors (e.g., Filgrastim/Neupogen)
and broad-spectrum antibiotics.
28.Q: What is the mechanism of action for Anthracyclines? ANSWER They
inhibit DNA/RNA synthesis by intercalating between DNA strands and
generating free radicals.
29.Q: What is the most concerning cumulative side effect of Anthracyclines
(e.g., Doxorubicin)? ANSWER Cardiotoxicity (congestive heart failure).
30.Q: What diagnostic tool is used to monitor cardiac function before and
during Anthracycline therapy? ANSWER Echocardiogram or MUGA scan
(to measure Ejection Fraction).
31.Q: What is "Mucositis"? ANSWER Inflammation and ulceration of the
mucous membranes (mouth, GI tract) caused by chemotherapy.
32.Q: What is "Alopecia"? ANSWER Hair loss; a common side effect of
chemotherapy affecting rapidly dividing cells.
33.Q: Is Alopecia permanent? ANSWER Generally, no; hair usually regrows
after treatment ends, sometimes with a change in texture or color.
34.Q: What is "Extravasation"? ANSWER The accidental leakage of a
vesicant chemotherapy drug into the surrounding tissue.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | RECENTLY UPDATED
2026/2027 PASS GUARANTEE
ONCOLOGY PHARMACOLOGY AND IMMUNOTHERAPY
1. Q: What is the primary goal of chemotherapy? ANSWER To cure cancer,
control cancer growth, or palliate symptoms by interfering with cell
replication.
2. Q: What is the Cell Cycle? ANSWER The series of events that take place
in a cell leading to its division and duplication.
3. Q: What are the four phases of the cell cycle? ANSWER G1 (Gap 1), S
(Synthesis), G2 (Gap 2), and M (Mitosis).
4. Q: What occurs during the G1 phase? ANSWER The cell grows and
synthesizes proteins necessary for DNA replication.
5. Q: What occurs during the S phase? ANSWER DNA replication takes
place (synthesis of DNA).
6. Q: What occurs during the G2 phase? ANSWER The cell prepares for
mitosis; checks for DNA errors and synthesizes proteins needed for
division.
7. Q: What occurs during the M phase? ANSWER Mitosis (nuclear division)
and cytokinesis (cytoplasmic division) occur.
8. Q: What is the G0 phase? ANSWER A resting phase where cells are not
actively dividing but can re-enter the cycle.
,9. Q: How are chemotherapeutic agents classified based on the cell cycle?
ANSWER Cell cycle-specific (active in specific phases) and cell cycle-
nonspecific (active in all phases).
10.Q: What is the Log-Kill Hypothesis? ANSWER The theory that
chemotherapy kills a constant fraction of tumor cells, not a fixed
number.
11.Q: What is "Therapeutic Index"? ANSWER The ratio between the toxic
dose and the therapeutic dose; a higher index indicates a safer drug.
12.Q: What is the mechanism of action for Alkylating agents? ANSWER
They cross-link DNA strands to prevent replication (cell cycle-
nonspecific).
13.Q: Why are Alkylating agents considered cell cycle-nonspecific?
ANSWER They damage DNA directly regardless of the phase the cell is in.
14.Q: What is the mechanism of action for Antimetabolites? ANSWER They
mimic substances needed for DNA synthesis, inhibiting the S phase.
15.Q: What is the mechanism of action for Vinca Alkaloids? ANSWER They
inhibit microtubule formation during the M phase, stopping mitosis.
16.Q: What is the mechanism of action for Taxanes? ANSWER They
stabilize microtubules, preventing their breakdown and stopping cell
division during M phase.
17.Q: What is "Tumor Lysis Syndrome" (TLS)? ANSWER A metabolic
emergency caused by the rapid lysis of cancer cells, releasing
intracellular contents.
18.Q: What lab values are elevated in Tumor Lysis Syndrome? ANSWER
Potassium, Phosphorus, Uric Acid, and Urea Nitrogen (BUN). Calcium is
low.
19.Q: Which electrolyte imbalance in TLS is most dangerous to the heart?
ANSWER Hyperkalemia (High Potassium).
20.Q: What medication is used to prevent hyperuricemia in TLS? ANSWER
Allopurinol (prevents formation) or Rasburicase (breaks down existing
uric acid).
, 21.Q: What is "Nadir"? ANSWER The lowest point in blood cell counts
(especially WBC and platelets) after chemotherapy administration.
22.Q: When does the nadir typically occur for most chemotherapies?
ANSWER 7 to 14 days after administration.
23.Q: What is the definition of "Neutropenia"? ANSWER An abnormally low
count of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell).
24.Q: What is the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) threshold for severe
neutropenia? ANSWER Less than 500 cells/mm³ (or 0.5 x 10^9/L).
25.Q: What is "Febrile Neutropenia"? ANSWER A fever > 100.4°F (38°C) or
100.9°F (38.3°C) with an ANC < 500.
26.Q: What is the primary risk associated with febrile neutropenia?
ANSWER Life-threatening infection/sepsis.
27.Q: What is the standard prophylactic treatment for febrile neutropenia?
ANSWER Administration of growth factors (e.g., Filgrastim/Neupogen)
and broad-spectrum antibiotics.
28.Q: What is the mechanism of action for Anthracyclines? ANSWER They
inhibit DNA/RNA synthesis by intercalating between DNA strands and
generating free radicals.
29.Q: What is the most concerning cumulative side effect of Anthracyclines
(e.g., Doxorubicin)? ANSWER Cardiotoxicity (congestive heart failure).
30.Q: What diagnostic tool is used to monitor cardiac function before and
during Anthracycline therapy? ANSWER Echocardiogram or MUGA scan
(to measure Ejection Fraction).
31.Q: What is "Mucositis"? ANSWER Inflammation and ulceration of the
mucous membranes (mouth, GI tract) caused by chemotherapy.
32.Q: What is "Alopecia"? ANSWER Hair loss; a common side effect of
chemotherapy affecting rapidly dividing cells.
33.Q: Is Alopecia permanent? ANSWER Generally, no; hair usually regrows
after treatment ends, sometimes with a change in texture or color.
34.Q: What is "Extravasation"? ANSWER The accidental leakage of a
vesicant chemotherapy drug into the surrounding tissue.
