ONCC Practice Tests (OCN - Symptom Management and
Palliative Care)
Which of the following is a dose-limiting toxicity of irinotecan?
Diarrhea
Miosis
Vomiting
Alopecia
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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?
Palliative Care)
Which of the following is a dose-limiting toxicity of irinotecan?
Diarrhea
Miosis
Vomiting
Alopecia
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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?
