OCN Practice Questions 2018
Which of the following is not routinely included as part of a diagnostic work-up for colorectal
cancer?
A. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
B. Bone marrow biopsy
C. Barium enema
D. Colonoscopy Ans: B. Bone marrow biopsy
You are a registered nurse working in an outpatient infusion center and have begun
administration of paclitaxel on a newly-diagnosed breast cancer patient. The patient mentions
that she is feeling flushed and shows you a small hive on her left cheek. Your next course of
action is to:
A. Immediately stop the infusion and notify the oncologist.
B. Decrease the rate of paclitaxel by 50%.
C. Give the patient 50mg of IV Benadryl.
D. Reassure the patient that this is a normal side effect of paclitaxel. Ans: A. Immediately stop
the infusion and notify the oncologist.
A 62-year-old male patient diagnosed with stage 3 small cell lung cancer is admitted to the
oncology unit with somnolence, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and diffuse abdominal pain. His
wife reports that he has become increasingly weak over the past three days and has exhibited a
change in mental status. She reports that he has not had a bowel movement in five days. Which
of the following oncologic complications is a likely explanation for the patient's clinical
presentation?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Septic shock
C. Liver metastasis
D. Superior vena cava syndrome Ans: A. Hypercalcemia
Which of the following chemotherapeutic agents is classified as a Vinca alkaloid?
A. Docetaxel
B. Etoposide
C. Oxaliplatin
D. Topotecan Ans: B. Etoposide
Which of the following treatment examples best describes adjuvant therapy?
A. A 64-year-old patient diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer receives chemotherapy after
undergoing a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
, B. A 53-year-old patient receives chemotherapy and radiation for a diagnosis of stage 3 breast
cancer.
C. An 80-year-old patient diagnosed with chronic leukemia receives oral chemotherapy with
regular monitoring by her oncologist.
D. A 42-year-old patient diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer undergoes a lumpectomy with
lymph node biopsy. Ans: A. A 64-year-old patient diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer
receives chemotherapy after undergoing a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-
oophorectomy.
A 60-year-old male patient newly diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the right lung is
admitted to the oncology unit with a chief complaint of facial and neck swelling as well as a
cough. A diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome is made. Which of the following treatment
options would you expect to see ordered for this patient?
A. Chemotherapy with adjuvant radiation therapy
B. Thoracentesis under local anesthesia
C. Surgical consultation to place a chest tube
D. Transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells Ans: A. Chemotherapy with adjuvant
radiation therapy
Which of the following would you include as part of discharge instructions for a patient
diagnosed with head and neck cancer and who has received radiation therapy?
A. Use a soft, nylon toothbrush when brushing teeth.
B. Apply soothing ointments to the lips for dryness and cracking.
C. Rinse the mouth several times per day with a baking soda and warm water solution.
D. Moisten foods with sauces, gravies and other liquids.
E. All of these answer choices.
F. None of these answer choices. Ans: E. All of these answer choices.
Which chromosome is associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia?
A. Philadelphia chromosome
B. Chromosome 7
C. P53
D. Chromosome 13 Ans: A. Philadelphia chromosome
A patient presents with a new diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer. In the patient's medical
record you learn that the tumor in the right lung is 4 cm x 6 cm and has invaded the visceral
pleura. There is evidence of metastases in the mediastinal and subcarinal nodes as well as distant
metastasis in the liver. Based on TNM staging, you realize that the patient has which stage of
non-small cell lung cancer?
Which of the following is not routinely included as part of a diagnostic work-up for colorectal
cancer?
A. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
B. Bone marrow biopsy
C. Barium enema
D. Colonoscopy Ans: B. Bone marrow biopsy
You are a registered nurse working in an outpatient infusion center and have begun
administration of paclitaxel on a newly-diagnosed breast cancer patient. The patient mentions
that she is feeling flushed and shows you a small hive on her left cheek. Your next course of
action is to:
A. Immediately stop the infusion and notify the oncologist.
B. Decrease the rate of paclitaxel by 50%.
C. Give the patient 50mg of IV Benadryl.
D. Reassure the patient that this is a normal side effect of paclitaxel. Ans: A. Immediately stop
the infusion and notify the oncologist.
A 62-year-old male patient diagnosed with stage 3 small cell lung cancer is admitted to the
oncology unit with somnolence, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and diffuse abdominal pain. His
wife reports that he has become increasingly weak over the past three days and has exhibited a
change in mental status. She reports that he has not had a bowel movement in five days. Which
of the following oncologic complications is a likely explanation for the patient's clinical
presentation?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Septic shock
C. Liver metastasis
D. Superior vena cava syndrome Ans: A. Hypercalcemia
Which of the following chemotherapeutic agents is classified as a Vinca alkaloid?
A. Docetaxel
B. Etoposide
C. Oxaliplatin
D. Topotecan Ans: B. Etoposide
Which of the following treatment examples best describes adjuvant therapy?
A. A 64-year-old patient diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer receives chemotherapy after
undergoing a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
, B. A 53-year-old patient receives chemotherapy and radiation for a diagnosis of stage 3 breast
cancer.
C. An 80-year-old patient diagnosed with chronic leukemia receives oral chemotherapy with
regular monitoring by her oncologist.
D. A 42-year-old patient diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer undergoes a lumpectomy with
lymph node biopsy. Ans: A. A 64-year-old patient diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer
receives chemotherapy after undergoing a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-
oophorectomy.
A 60-year-old male patient newly diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the right lung is
admitted to the oncology unit with a chief complaint of facial and neck swelling as well as a
cough. A diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome is made. Which of the following treatment
options would you expect to see ordered for this patient?
A. Chemotherapy with adjuvant radiation therapy
B. Thoracentesis under local anesthesia
C. Surgical consultation to place a chest tube
D. Transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells Ans: A. Chemotherapy with adjuvant
radiation therapy
Which of the following would you include as part of discharge instructions for a patient
diagnosed with head and neck cancer and who has received radiation therapy?
A. Use a soft, nylon toothbrush when brushing teeth.
B. Apply soothing ointments to the lips for dryness and cracking.
C. Rinse the mouth several times per day with a baking soda and warm water solution.
D. Moisten foods with sauces, gravies and other liquids.
E. All of these answer choices.
F. None of these answer choices. Ans: E. All of these answer choices.
Which chromosome is associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia?
A. Philadelphia chromosome
B. Chromosome 7
C. P53
D. Chromosome 13 Ans: A. Philadelphia chromosome
A patient presents with a new diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer. In the patient's medical
record you learn that the tumor in the right lung is 4 cm x 6 cm and has invaded the visceral
pleura. There is evidence of metastases in the mediastinal and subcarinal nodes as well as distant
metastasis in the liver. Based on TNM staging, you realize that the patient has which stage of
non-small cell lung cancer?
