ONCC Practice Tests (OCN - Care
Continuum)
Which of the following is an advantage of an implanted vascular access device over a tunneled
central venous catheter?
Decreased risk of infection
Short-term use
Low cost of insertion
Unlimited ability to access Ans: Decreased risk of infection
Answer: Implanted ports have a lower risk of infection than tunneled central venous catheters.
Reference: Camp-Sorrell, D., & Matey, L. (Eds.). (2017). Access device standards of practice for
oncology nursing. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society, p. 67.
The nurse teaches a patient that the purpose of a living will is to:
establish the patient's desires for care prior to a life-threatening illness.
make final decisions regarding treatment until disease progression.
acknowledge the risks and limitations of recommended therapies.
appoint a surrogate to make medical decisions. Ans: establish the patient's desires for care prior
to a life-threatening illness.
Answer: Living wills are designed to determine the care that a patient is agreeable to receive or
not receive in the event of a terminal illness.
Reference: Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing
Society, p. 655(t).
Within which timeframe will chemotherapy-induced alopecia normally begin after receiving a
first treatment?
2 weeks
24 hours
1 month
3 months Ans: 2 weeks
Answer: Hair loss from chemotherapy usually begins two weeks after beginning treatment.
, Reference: Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing
Society, p. 360.
A patient with breast cancer who received cyclophospamide five years ago reports a new onset
of bruising and fatigue. The nurse suspects:
a secondary leukemia.
liver failure.
leukoencephalopathy.
cardiomyopathy. Ans: a secondary leukemia.
Answer: The risk of secondary leukemia increases with the use of alkylating agents.
Reference: Polovich, M., Olsen, M., & LeFebvre, K. (Eds.). (2014). Chemotherapy and
biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (4th ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology
Nursing Society, p. 446(t).
A patient with a permanent colostomy expresses concern about engaging in sexual intercourse.
The nurse first recommends:
tracking bowel habits to best schedule sexual intercourse.
eating immediately before engaging in sexual intercourse.
having further discussions with a therapist prior to having sexual intercourse.
replacing the ostomy appliance just before engaging in sexual intercourse. Ans: tracking bowel
habits to best schedule sexual intercourse.
Answer: By being aware of their bowel habits, a patient will be able to better plan sexual
activities around expected bowel movements.
Reference: Newton, S., Hickey, M., & Marrs, J. (2017). Mosby's oncology nursing advisor: A
comprehensive guide to clinical practice (2nd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby, p. 349.
A patient with ovarian cancer is most likely to be diagnosed with which of the following
secondary malignancies?
Ocular melanoma
Leiomyosarcoma
Gastric carcinoma
Hodgkin lymphoma Ans: Ocular melanoma
Answer: A patient with ovarian cancer is at risk for the development of a secondary melanoma of
the eye.
Continuum)
Which of the following is an advantage of an implanted vascular access device over a tunneled
central venous catheter?
Decreased risk of infection
Short-term use
Low cost of insertion
Unlimited ability to access Ans: Decreased risk of infection
Answer: Implanted ports have a lower risk of infection than tunneled central venous catheters.
Reference: Camp-Sorrell, D., & Matey, L. (Eds.). (2017). Access device standards of practice for
oncology nursing. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society, p. 67.
The nurse teaches a patient that the purpose of a living will is to:
establish the patient's desires for care prior to a life-threatening illness.
make final decisions regarding treatment until disease progression.
acknowledge the risks and limitations of recommended therapies.
appoint a surrogate to make medical decisions. Ans: establish the patient's desires for care prior
to a life-threatening illness.
Answer: Living wills are designed to determine the care that a patient is agreeable to receive or
not receive in the event of a terminal illness.
Reference: Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing
Society, p. 655(t).
Within which timeframe will chemotherapy-induced alopecia normally begin after receiving a
first treatment?
2 weeks
24 hours
1 month
3 months Ans: 2 weeks
Answer: Hair loss from chemotherapy usually begins two weeks after beginning treatment.
, Reference: Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing
Society, p. 360.
A patient with breast cancer who received cyclophospamide five years ago reports a new onset
of bruising and fatigue. The nurse suspects:
a secondary leukemia.
liver failure.
leukoencephalopathy.
cardiomyopathy. Ans: a secondary leukemia.
Answer: The risk of secondary leukemia increases with the use of alkylating agents.
Reference: Polovich, M., Olsen, M., & LeFebvre, K. (Eds.). (2014). Chemotherapy and
biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (4th ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology
Nursing Society, p. 446(t).
A patient with a permanent colostomy expresses concern about engaging in sexual intercourse.
The nurse first recommends:
tracking bowel habits to best schedule sexual intercourse.
eating immediately before engaging in sexual intercourse.
having further discussions with a therapist prior to having sexual intercourse.
replacing the ostomy appliance just before engaging in sexual intercourse. Ans: tracking bowel
habits to best schedule sexual intercourse.
Answer: By being aware of their bowel habits, a patient will be able to better plan sexual
activities around expected bowel movements.
Reference: Newton, S., Hickey, M., & Marrs, J. (2017). Mosby's oncology nursing advisor: A
comprehensive guide to clinical practice (2nd ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby, p. 349.
A patient with ovarian cancer is most likely to be diagnosed with which of the following
secondary malignancies?
Ocular melanoma
Leiomyosarcoma
Gastric carcinoma
Hodgkin lymphoma Ans: Ocular melanoma
Answer: A patient with ovarian cancer is at risk for the development of a secondary melanoma of
the eye.
