SHERPATH EAQ- CANCER- MOC EXAM
4 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
The patient is using a fentanyl patch for control of chronic cancer pain. For which potential
adverse effect would the nurse observe?
Hypertension
Pupillary dilation
Urinary incontinence
Decreased respiratory rate - ANS Decreased respiratory rate
Respiratory depression is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of fentanyl, which is an
opioid analgesic, via any route. Pupillary dilation, urinary incontinence, and hypertension are
not potential side effects of fentanyl.
A patient awaiting a biopsy pathology report states, "I am afraid to die." Which response would
the nurse make?
Actively listen and allow the patient to talk about his or her fears.
Teach the patient about the seven warning signs of cancer.
Discuss the need to make changes in an unhealthy lifestyle.
Remind the patient that there is probably no reason to worry. - ANS Actively listen and allow
the patient to talk about his or her fears.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 33
,While patients are waiting for the results of diagnostic studies, be available to actively listen to
their concerns. It is not an appropriate time to teach about the warning signs of cancer or to
provide patient teaching regarding lifestyle changes. Do not provide false reassurances by telling
the patient there is nothing to worry about.
A patient has neutropenia and a body temperature of 100.4° F (38° C). Which action would the
nurse take?
Initiate parenteral fluids.
Give aspirin to the patient.
Administer pamidronate to the patient.
Notify the health care provider. - ANS Notify the health care provider.
A patient with cancer who has neutropenia (low white blood cell count) is vulnerable to
infection. A body temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) indicates hyperthermia. The nurse should
immediately notify the health care provider in this situation. Hydration therapy with parenteral
fluids will treat hypocalcemia, which is a complication of cancer and may cause
nephrocalcinosis. Aspirin can reduce hyperthermia; however, it is not preferable for a patient
with a low white blood cell count. Pamidronate is a bisphosphonate that inhibits serum calcium
levels and helps to treat hypercalcemia effectively.
Which goals are treatment goals of cancer? Select all that apply.
Cure
Control
Palliation
Prevention
Early detection
Clinical staging - ANS Cure
Control
Palliation
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 33
,The treatment goals for cancer include cure, control, and palliation. Prevention and early
detection are goals for the health care team before a diagnosis of cancer. Clinical staging is done
as part of the completion of a diagnostic workup to guide effective treatment selection.
Which is the only definitive means of diagnosing cancer?
Tissue biopsy
Mammography
Liver function studies
CT scan - ANS A tissue biopsy
the pathologic evaluation of a tissue sample, is the only definitive way to diagnose cancer. Liver
function studies are blood tests that can help evaluate the function of the liver. A
mammography is a screening tool for breast cancer. A CT scan can help identify areas of
abnormality and help determine the stage and metastasis of an existing tumor.
The nurse is educating a patient about cancer prevention and early detection. Which
instructions would the nurse include? Select all that apply.
Limit alcohol consumption.
Stop or reduce cigarette smoking.
Get regular physical examinations.
Know the seven warning signs of cancer.
Exercise for 20 minutes three times a week. - ANS Limit alcohol consumption.
Stop or reduce cigarette smoking.
Get regular physical examinations.
Know the seven warning signs of cancer.
Limiting or reducing alcohol intake and tobacco use, regular physical examinations, and
understanding the seven warning signs of cancer are all educational topics about cancer
prevention. The recommendation for exercise is 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a
week.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 33
, Which stage in the development of cancer is characterized by the reversible proliferation of the
altered cells?
Initiation
Promotion
Metastasis
Progression - ANS Promotion
is the second stage of cancer, which is characterized by the reversible proliferation of the altered
cells. Initiation is the first stage of cancer, which involves the mutation of the cell's genetic
structure. Metastasis is the spread of cancer to a distant site; this is a characteristic of the
progression stage. Progression is the final stage in the natural history of cancer.
A patient with cancer has dysgeusia and tells the student nurse, "I don't want to eat. Everything
tastes bitter." Which patient advice planned by the student nurse indicates the need for further
teaching?
"Add onions to the vegetables."
"Increase use of spicy seasonings."
"Use mint juice while cooking fish."
"Marinate the meat with lemon juice." - ANS "Increase use of spicy seasonings."
A patient with cancer may develop dysgeusia because cancer cells release substances that make
the taste buds bitter. Using different spices and seasoning agents will help to enhance the taste.
However, increasing spices and seasoning will not reduce dysgeusia and in fact may further
increase gastric irritation in the patient. Onions help to enhance the taste of vegetables so the
patient will have reduced bitterness. Mint and lemon juice helps to enhance the taste of meat
and fish so the patient will have reduced dysgeusia.
Which is the primary function of beta interferon (β-IFN)?
Proliferation and differentiation of monocytes
Proliferation and differentiation of neutrophils
Production of red blood cells in the bone marrow
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 4 OF 33
4 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
The patient is using a fentanyl patch for control of chronic cancer pain. For which potential
adverse effect would the nurse observe?
Hypertension
Pupillary dilation
Urinary incontinence
Decreased respiratory rate - ANS Decreased respiratory rate
Respiratory depression is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of fentanyl, which is an
opioid analgesic, via any route. Pupillary dilation, urinary incontinence, and hypertension are
not potential side effects of fentanyl.
A patient awaiting a biopsy pathology report states, "I am afraid to die." Which response would
the nurse make?
Actively listen and allow the patient to talk about his or her fears.
Teach the patient about the seven warning signs of cancer.
Discuss the need to make changes in an unhealthy lifestyle.
Remind the patient that there is probably no reason to worry. - ANS Actively listen and allow
the patient to talk about his or her fears.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 33
,While patients are waiting for the results of diagnostic studies, be available to actively listen to
their concerns. It is not an appropriate time to teach about the warning signs of cancer or to
provide patient teaching regarding lifestyle changes. Do not provide false reassurances by telling
the patient there is nothing to worry about.
A patient has neutropenia and a body temperature of 100.4° F (38° C). Which action would the
nurse take?
Initiate parenteral fluids.
Give aspirin to the patient.
Administer pamidronate to the patient.
Notify the health care provider. - ANS Notify the health care provider.
A patient with cancer who has neutropenia (low white blood cell count) is vulnerable to
infection. A body temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) indicates hyperthermia. The nurse should
immediately notify the health care provider in this situation. Hydration therapy with parenteral
fluids will treat hypocalcemia, which is a complication of cancer and may cause
nephrocalcinosis. Aspirin can reduce hyperthermia; however, it is not preferable for a patient
with a low white blood cell count. Pamidronate is a bisphosphonate that inhibits serum calcium
levels and helps to treat hypercalcemia effectively.
Which goals are treatment goals of cancer? Select all that apply.
Cure
Control
Palliation
Prevention
Early detection
Clinical staging - ANS Cure
Control
Palliation
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 33
,The treatment goals for cancer include cure, control, and palliation. Prevention and early
detection are goals for the health care team before a diagnosis of cancer. Clinical staging is done
as part of the completion of a diagnostic workup to guide effective treatment selection.
Which is the only definitive means of diagnosing cancer?
Tissue biopsy
Mammography
Liver function studies
CT scan - ANS A tissue biopsy
the pathologic evaluation of a tissue sample, is the only definitive way to diagnose cancer. Liver
function studies are blood tests that can help evaluate the function of the liver. A
mammography is a screening tool for breast cancer. A CT scan can help identify areas of
abnormality and help determine the stage and metastasis of an existing tumor.
The nurse is educating a patient about cancer prevention and early detection. Which
instructions would the nurse include? Select all that apply.
Limit alcohol consumption.
Stop or reduce cigarette smoking.
Get regular physical examinations.
Know the seven warning signs of cancer.
Exercise for 20 minutes three times a week. - ANS Limit alcohol consumption.
Stop or reduce cigarette smoking.
Get regular physical examinations.
Know the seven warning signs of cancer.
Limiting or reducing alcohol intake and tobacco use, regular physical examinations, and
understanding the seven warning signs of cancer are all educational topics about cancer
prevention. The recommendation for exercise is 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a
week.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 33
, Which stage in the development of cancer is characterized by the reversible proliferation of the
altered cells?
Initiation
Promotion
Metastasis
Progression - ANS Promotion
is the second stage of cancer, which is characterized by the reversible proliferation of the altered
cells. Initiation is the first stage of cancer, which involves the mutation of the cell's genetic
structure. Metastasis is the spread of cancer to a distant site; this is a characteristic of the
progression stage. Progression is the final stage in the natural history of cancer.
A patient with cancer has dysgeusia and tells the student nurse, "I don't want to eat. Everything
tastes bitter." Which patient advice planned by the student nurse indicates the need for further
teaching?
"Add onions to the vegetables."
"Increase use of spicy seasonings."
"Use mint juice while cooking fish."
"Marinate the meat with lemon juice." - ANS "Increase use of spicy seasonings."
A patient with cancer may develop dysgeusia because cancer cells release substances that make
the taste buds bitter. Using different spices and seasoning agents will help to enhance the taste.
However, increasing spices and seasoning will not reduce dysgeusia and in fact may further
increase gastric irritation in the patient. Onions help to enhance the taste of vegetables so the
patient will have reduced bitterness. Mint and lemon juice helps to enhance the taste of meat
and fish so the patient will have reduced dysgeusia.
Which is the primary function of beta interferon (β-IFN)?
Proliferation and differentiation of monocytes
Proliferation and differentiation of neutrophils
Production of red blood cells in the bone marrow
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 4 OF 33
