Oncology Nursing Practice
Exam – 2026 Comprehensive
Q&A
Section 1: Cancer Biology & Pathophysiology (Questions 1-20)
1. The nurse is teaching a patient about cancer development. Which statement accurately describes
the pathophysiology of cancer?
A) Cancer involves uncontrolled cell division due to DNA mutations
B) Cancer is caused by a single genetic mutation only
C) Cancer cells are identical to normal cells in function
D) Cancer cells have a longer lifespan than normal cells
Answer: A) Cancer involves uncontrolled cell division due to DNA mutations
Rationale: Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division resulting from genetic
mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. These mutations lead to loss of normal cell
regulation and apoptosis.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of malignancy. Which characteristic is associated with
malignant tumors?
A) Encapsulated growth and slow progression
B) Invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis
C) Well-differentiated cells
D) Minimal mitotic activity
Answer: B) Invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by invasion of surrounding tissues, metastasis to distant
sites, and undifferentiated cells. Benign tumors are encapsulated and do not metastasize.
3. The nurse is teaching about tumor staging using the TNM system. What does the "T" stand for?
A) Tumor size and extent of invasion
B) Lymph node involvement
C) Metastasis
, D) Tumor markers
Answer: A) Tumor size and extent of invasion
Rationale: The TNM staging system includes T (Tumor size and extent of primary tumor), N (Lymph node
involvement), and M (Metastasis). This system is used to determine cancer stage and treatment
planning.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with cancer cachexia. Which finding is characteristic?
A) Weight loss and muscle wasting
B) Weight gain and edema
C) Increased appetite and energy
D) Normal nutritional status
Answer: A) Weight loss and muscle wasting
Rationale: Cancer cachexia is a syndrome characterized by weight loss, muscle wasting, and anorexia
due to metabolic changes, inflammatory cytokines, and tumor-induced catabolism. Nutritional support is
essential.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with leukopenia. Which finding indicates a risk of infection?
A) White blood cell count (WBC) of 10,000/mm³
B) White blood cell count (WBC) of 2,000/mm³
C) Neutrophil count of 4,000/mm³
D) Neutrophil count of 3,000/mm³
Answer: B) White blood cell count (WBC) of 2,000/mm³
Rationale: Leukopenia is a WBC count <4,000/mm³. Neutropenia is an absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
<1,500/mm³. ANC <500/mm³ indicates severe neutropenia and high infection risk, requiring protective
isolation.
6. The nurse is teaching a patient about the role of apoptosis in cancer. Which statement correctly
describes apoptosis?
A) Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is often impaired in cancer cells
B) Apoptosis is uncontrolled cell division
C) Apoptosis is the formation of new blood vessels
D) Apoptosis is the invasion of surrounding tissues
Answer: A) Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is often impaired in cancer cells
Rationale: Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is often impaired in cancer cells, allowing them to survive
and proliferate despite DNA damage. This contributes to tumor growth and treatment resistance.
, 7. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of cancer-related fatigue. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A) Encourage rest and energy conservation
B) Encourage high-intensity exercise
C) Discourage napping during the day
D) Recommend a high-fat diet
Answer: A) Encourage rest and energy conservation
Rationale: Cancer-related fatigue is a common symptom. Energy conservation strategies, including rest,
pacing activities, and mild exercise, are recommended. Physical activity may help reduce fatigue, but it
should be balanced with rest.
8. The nurse is teaching a patient about cancer prevention. Which factor is a modifiable risk factor for
cancer?
A) Smoking and tobacco use
B) Genetic mutations
C) Age
D) Family history
Answer: A) Smoking and tobacco use
Rationale: Smoking and tobacco use are modifiable risk factors that significantly increase the risk of lung,
head/neck, and other cancers. Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy diet reduce
cancer risk.
9. The nurse is caring for a patient with a tumor that is secreting hormones. This is characteristic of
which type of tumor?
A) Endocrine tumors
B) Sarcomas
C) Carcinomas
D) Lymphomas
Answer: A) Endocrine tumors
Rationale: Endocrine tumors (e.g., carcinoid, pheochromocytoma, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors)
secrete hormones that cause systemic symptoms. Carcinomas are epithelial tumors, sarcomas are
connective tissue tumors, and lymphomas are lymphatic tumors.
10. The nurse is assessing a patient with cancer who has a poor nutritional status. Which intervention
is appropriate?
A) High-protein, high-calorie diet
Exam – 2026 Comprehensive
Q&A
Section 1: Cancer Biology & Pathophysiology (Questions 1-20)
1. The nurse is teaching a patient about cancer development. Which statement accurately describes
the pathophysiology of cancer?
A) Cancer involves uncontrolled cell division due to DNA mutations
B) Cancer is caused by a single genetic mutation only
C) Cancer cells are identical to normal cells in function
D) Cancer cells have a longer lifespan than normal cells
Answer: A) Cancer involves uncontrolled cell division due to DNA mutations
Rationale: Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division resulting from genetic
mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. These mutations lead to loss of normal cell
regulation and apoptosis.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of malignancy. Which characteristic is associated with
malignant tumors?
A) Encapsulated growth and slow progression
B) Invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis
C) Well-differentiated cells
D) Minimal mitotic activity
Answer: B) Invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by invasion of surrounding tissues, metastasis to distant
sites, and undifferentiated cells. Benign tumors are encapsulated and do not metastasize.
3. The nurse is teaching about tumor staging using the TNM system. What does the "T" stand for?
A) Tumor size and extent of invasion
B) Lymph node involvement
C) Metastasis
, D) Tumor markers
Answer: A) Tumor size and extent of invasion
Rationale: The TNM staging system includes T (Tumor size and extent of primary tumor), N (Lymph node
involvement), and M (Metastasis). This system is used to determine cancer stage and treatment
planning.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with cancer cachexia. Which finding is characteristic?
A) Weight loss and muscle wasting
B) Weight gain and edema
C) Increased appetite and energy
D) Normal nutritional status
Answer: A) Weight loss and muscle wasting
Rationale: Cancer cachexia is a syndrome characterized by weight loss, muscle wasting, and anorexia
due to metabolic changes, inflammatory cytokines, and tumor-induced catabolism. Nutritional support is
essential.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with leukopenia. Which finding indicates a risk of infection?
A) White blood cell count (WBC) of 10,000/mm³
B) White blood cell count (WBC) of 2,000/mm³
C) Neutrophil count of 4,000/mm³
D) Neutrophil count of 3,000/mm³
Answer: B) White blood cell count (WBC) of 2,000/mm³
Rationale: Leukopenia is a WBC count <4,000/mm³. Neutropenia is an absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
<1,500/mm³. ANC <500/mm³ indicates severe neutropenia and high infection risk, requiring protective
isolation.
6. The nurse is teaching a patient about the role of apoptosis in cancer. Which statement correctly
describes apoptosis?
A) Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is often impaired in cancer cells
B) Apoptosis is uncontrolled cell division
C) Apoptosis is the formation of new blood vessels
D) Apoptosis is the invasion of surrounding tissues
Answer: A) Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is often impaired in cancer cells
Rationale: Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is often impaired in cancer cells, allowing them to survive
and proliferate despite DNA damage. This contributes to tumor growth and treatment resistance.
, 7. The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of cancer-related fatigue. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A) Encourage rest and energy conservation
B) Encourage high-intensity exercise
C) Discourage napping during the day
D) Recommend a high-fat diet
Answer: A) Encourage rest and energy conservation
Rationale: Cancer-related fatigue is a common symptom. Energy conservation strategies, including rest,
pacing activities, and mild exercise, are recommended. Physical activity may help reduce fatigue, but it
should be balanced with rest.
8. The nurse is teaching a patient about cancer prevention. Which factor is a modifiable risk factor for
cancer?
A) Smoking and tobacco use
B) Genetic mutations
C) Age
D) Family history
Answer: A) Smoking and tobacco use
Rationale: Smoking and tobacco use are modifiable risk factors that significantly increase the risk of lung,
head/neck, and other cancers. Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy diet reduce
cancer risk.
9. The nurse is caring for a patient with a tumor that is secreting hormones. This is characteristic of
which type of tumor?
A) Endocrine tumors
B) Sarcomas
C) Carcinomas
D) Lymphomas
Answer: A) Endocrine tumors
Rationale: Endocrine tumors (e.g., carcinoid, pheochromocytoma, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors)
secrete hormones that cause systemic symptoms. Carcinomas are epithelial tumors, sarcomas are
connective tissue tumors, and lymphomas are lymphatic tumors.
10. The nurse is assessing a patient with cancer who has a poor nutritional status. Which intervention
is appropriate?
A) High-protein, high-calorie diet
