OCN Oncology Certified Nurse Practice
Exam Questions with Answers and
Rationales EXAM REVIEWS 2025-2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
1. A patient receiving chemotherapy develops a neutrophil count of
400/mm³. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage fresh fruits and vegetables
B. Place the patient on neutropenic precautions
C. Administer aspirin for fever prevention
D. Encourage visitors without restrictions
Answer: B. Place the patient on neutropenic precautions
Rationale: Severe neutropenia places the patient at high risk for
infection. Protective precautions reduce exposure to pathogens.
2. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor before
administering chemotherapy?
A. Serum calcium
B. Hemoglobin A1C
C. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
D. Lipid profile
Answer: C. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
,Rationale: ANC determines the patient’s ability to fight infection and
whether chemotherapy can safely be administered.
3. A patient receiving doxorubicin reports shortness of breath and
fatigue. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Cardiomyopathy
C. Renal failure
D. Peripheral neuropathy
Answer: B. Cardiomyopathy
Rationale: Doxorubicin is an anthracycline associated with
cumulative dose-related cardiotoxicity.
4. Which medication is commonly used to prevent chemotherapy-
induced nausea and vomiting?
A. Ondansetron
B. Morphine
C. Furosemide
D. Filgrastim
Answer: A. Ondansetron
Rationale: Ondansetron is a serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist
used for chemotherapy-related nausea prevention.
5. A patient receiving chemotherapy has a platelet count of
18,000/mm³. Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Use a soft toothbrush
B. Encourage vigorous exercise
,C. Give intramuscular injections
D. Use aspirin for pain
Answer: A. Use a soft toothbrush
Rationale: Severe thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk; gentle
oral care reduces trauma.
6. Tumor lysis syndrome is most commonly associated with:
A. Slow-growing benign tumors
B. Rapid destruction of malignant cells
C. Radiation therapy only
D. Chronic anemia
Answer: B. Rapid destruction of malignant cells
Rationale: Rapid tumor cell breakdown releases intracellular
contents, causing electrolyte abnormalities.
7. Which electrolyte abnormality is expected in tumor lysis
syndrome?
A. Low potassium
B. High potassium
C. Low phosphate
D. High calcium
Answer: B. High potassium
Rationale: Cell destruction releases potassium into the bloodstream,
causing hyperkalemia.
8. A patient receiving vincristine reports numbness and tingling in
the hands and feet. The nurse recognizes this as:
, A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Peripheral neuropathy
C. Hearing loss
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: B. Peripheral neuropathy
Rationale: Vincristine commonly causes neurotoxicity, including
peripheral neuropathy.
9. Which symptom requires immediate evaluation in a patient
receiving chemotherapy?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38°C (100.4°F)
C. Hair loss
D. Taste changes
Answer: B. Temperature of 38°C (100.4°F)
Rationale: Fever in a neutropenic patient may indicate life-
threatening infection and requires urgent evaluation.
10. The main purpose of cancer staging is to:
A. Determine insurance coverage
B. Predict prognosis and guide treatment
C. Identify patient preferences
D. Measure pain levels
Answer: B. Predict prognosis and guide treatment
Rationale: Staging describes cancer extent and helps determine
treatment options and expected outcomes.
Exam Questions with Answers and
Rationales EXAM REVIEWS 2025-2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
1. A patient receiving chemotherapy develops a neutrophil count of
400/mm³. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage fresh fruits and vegetables
B. Place the patient on neutropenic precautions
C. Administer aspirin for fever prevention
D. Encourage visitors without restrictions
Answer: B. Place the patient on neutropenic precautions
Rationale: Severe neutropenia places the patient at high risk for
infection. Protective precautions reduce exposure to pathogens.
2. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor before
administering chemotherapy?
A. Serum calcium
B. Hemoglobin A1C
C. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
D. Lipid profile
Answer: C. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
,Rationale: ANC determines the patient’s ability to fight infection and
whether chemotherapy can safely be administered.
3. A patient receiving doxorubicin reports shortness of breath and
fatigue. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Cardiomyopathy
C. Renal failure
D. Peripheral neuropathy
Answer: B. Cardiomyopathy
Rationale: Doxorubicin is an anthracycline associated with
cumulative dose-related cardiotoxicity.
4. Which medication is commonly used to prevent chemotherapy-
induced nausea and vomiting?
A. Ondansetron
B. Morphine
C. Furosemide
D. Filgrastim
Answer: A. Ondansetron
Rationale: Ondansetron is a serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist
used for chemotherapy-related nausea prevention.
5. A patient receiving chemotherapy has a platelet count of
18,000/mm³. Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Use a soft toothbrush
B. Encourage vigorous exercise
,C. Give intramuscular injections
D. Use aspirin for pain
Answer: A. Use a soft toothbrush
Rationale: Severe thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk; gentle
oral care reduces trauma.
6. Tumor lysis syndrome is most commonly associated with:
A. Slow-growing benign tumors
B. Rapid destruction of malignant cells
C. Radiation therapy only
D. Chronic anemia
Answer: B. Rapid destruction of malignant cells
Rationale: Rapid tumor cell breakdown releases intracellular
contents, causing electrolyte abnormalities.
7. Which electrolyte abnormality is expected in tumor lysis
syndrome?
A. Low potassium
B. High potassium
C. Low phosphate
D. High calcium
Answer: B. High potassium
Rationale: Cell destruction releases potassium into the bloodstream,
causing hyperkalemia.
8. A patient receiving vincristine reports numbness and tingling in
the hands and feet. The nurse recognizes this as:
, A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Peripheral neuropathy
C. Hearing loss
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: B. Peripheral neuropathy
Rationale: Vincristine commonly causes neurotoxicity, including
peripheral neuropathy.
9. Which symptom requires immediate evaluation in a patient
receiving chemotherapy?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38°C (100.4°F)
C. Hair loss
D. Taste changes
Answer: B. Temperature of 38°C (100.4°F)
Rationale: Fever in a neutropenic patient may indicate life-
threatening infection and requires urgent evaluation.
10. The main purpose of cancer staging is to:
A. Determine insurance coverage
B. Predict prognosis and guide treatment
C. Identify patient preferences
D. Measure pain levels
Answer: B. Predict prognosis and guide treatment
Rationale: Staging describes cancer extent and helps determine
treatment options and expected outcomes.
