ONCC Practice Tests (OCN - Symptom
Management and Palliative Care)
Which of the following is a dose-limiting toxicity of irinotecan?
Diarrhea
Miosis
Vomiting
Alopecia ANS: Diarrhea
Answer: Diarrhea is the dose-limiting toxicity for irinotecan.
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. 44(t).
Administration of filgrastim maintains the dose intensity of a treatment regimen by reducing the:
occurrence of febrile neutropenia.
need for leucovorin rescue.
occurrence of nausea and vomiting.
risk of cardiotoxicity. ANS: occurrence of febrile neutropenia.
Answer: Filgrastim is used to reduce the risk of febrile neutropenia.
Reference: Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing
Society, pp. 227-228.
One year after receiving total body irradiation for a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, a patient
reports increasingly dim vision and ocular sensitivity. The nurse suspects which late effect
related to treatment?
Cataracts
Macular degeneration
Strabismus
Optic nerve dysfunction ANS: Cataracts
Answer: Patients who receive total body irradiation are at greater risk for the development of
cataracts.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer nursing: Principles
and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett, p. 602.
, A 78-year-old patient with prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease is taking naproxen twice a
day and a daily dose of acetylsalicylic acid. The nurse instructs the patient to:
speak with the physician about adding a cytoprotectant.
space the medications at least one hour apart.
take the medications on an empty stomach.
expect an increase in swelling of the extremities during the evening. ANS: speak with the
physician about adding a cytoprotectant.
Answer: Patients receiving cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitors who are high risk based on existing
cardiac disease should consider the addition of a cytoprotectant.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer nursing: Principles
and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett, p. 801(t).
A patient receiving a fluorouracil-based combination chemotherapy regimen is employed as a
landscaper. The nurse teaches the patient about the risk of:
photosensitivity.
pulmonary toxicity.
peripheral edema.
gout. ANS: photosensitivity.
Answer: Photosensitivity is a side effect of fluorouracil.
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. 34(t).
A patient who reports nausea four days after receiving chemotherapy is experiencing which type
of chemotherapy-induced nausea?
Delayed
Acute
Refractory
Breakthrough ANS: Delayed
Answer: Delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting starts at least 24 hours after
treatment and may last up to 5 days.
Reference: Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing
Society, p. 445.
A patient receiving targeted therapy reports yellow, crusted papules and itching on the shoulders.
The nurse suggests which of the following interventions?
Applying a lotion with dimethicone
Management and Palliative Care)
Which of the following is a dose-limiting toxicity of irinotecan?
Diarrhea
Miosis
Vomiting
Alopecia ANS: Diarrhea
Answer: Diarrhea is the dose-limiting toxicity for irinotecan.
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. 44(t).
Administration of filgrastim maintains the dose intensity of a treatment regimen by reducing the:
occurrence of febrile neutropenia.
need for leucovorin rescue.
occurrence of nausea and vomiting.
risk of cardiotoxicity. ANS: occurrence of febrile neutropenia.
Answer: Filgrastim is used to reduce the risk of febrile neutropenia.
Reference: Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing
Society, pp. 227-228.
One year after receiving total body irradiation for a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, a patient
reports increasingly dim vision and ocular sensitivity. The nurse suspects which late effect
related to treatment?
Cataracts
Macular degeneration
Strabismus
Optic nerve dysfunction ANS: Cataracts
Answer: Patients who receive total body irradiation are at greater risk for the development of
cataracts.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer nursing: Principles
and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett, p. 602.
, A 78-year-old patient with prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease is taking naproxen twice a
day and a daily dose of acetylsalicylic acid. The nurse instructs the patient to:
speak with the physician about adding a cytoprotectant.
space the medications at least one hour apart.
take the medications on an empty stomach.
expect an increase in swelling of the extremities during the evening. ANS: speak with the
physician about adding a cytoprotectant.
Answer: Patients receiving cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitors who are high risk based on existing
cardiac disease should consider the addition of a cytoprotectant.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer nursing: Principles
and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett, p. 801(t).
A patient receiving a fluorouracil-based combination chemotherapy regimen is employed as a
landscaper. The nurse teaches the patient about the risk of:
photosensitivity.
pulmonary toxicity.
peripheral edema.
gout. ANS: photosensitivity.
Answer: Photosensitivity is a side effect of fluorouracil.
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. 34(t).
A patient who reports nausea four days after receiving chemotherapy is experiencing which type
of chemotherapy-induced nausea?
Delayed
Acute
Refractory
Breakthrough ANS: Delayed
Answer: Delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting starts at least 24 hours after
treatment and may last up to 5 days.
Reference: Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing
Society, p. 445.
A patient receiving targeted therapy reports yellow, crusted papules and itching on the shoulders.
The nurse suggests which of the following interventions?
Applying a lotion with dimethicone
