Nursing 354 Cancer Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which characteristic is most consistent with a malignant tumor?
A. Slow growth and well-defined borders
B. Encapsulation within surrounding tissue
C. Invasion of surrounding tissues and potential metastasis
D. Normal cellular differentiation
Answer: C. Invasion of surrounding tissues and potential metastasis
Rationale: Malignant tumors characteristically invade surrounding tissues and
may spread to distant organs through the lymphatic or circulatory systems.
2. Which factor is considered a major modifiable risk factor for cancer?
A. Age
B. Family history
C. Genetic inheritance
D. Tobacco use
Answer: D. Tobacco use
Rationale: Tobacco exposure is a major preventable cause of multiple cancers,
including lung, oral, laryngeal, esophageal, and bladder cancers.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client about cancer prevention. Which recommendation
is most appropriate?
A. Avoid all physical activity
B. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and participate in recommended cancer
screenings
C. Take antibiotics regularly
D. Avoid all carbohydrates
Answer: B. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and participate in recommended cancer
screenings
Rationale: Cancer prevention includes avoiding tobacco, limiting harmful
exposures, maintaining healthy behaviors, and participating in age- and risk-
appropriate screening.
4. Which term describes the spread of malignant cancer cells from the original
site to distant organs?
A. Differentiation
B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metastasis
Answer: D. Metastasis
Rationale: Metastasis occurs when malignant cells spread from the primary
tumor to distant sites through lymphatic or blood vessels.
5. Which cancer is most strongly associated with cigarette smoking?
A. Thyroid cancer
B. Lung cancer
,C. Testicular cancer
D. Prostate cancer
Answer: B. Lung cancer
Rationale: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer and is also
associated with numerous other malignancies.
6. A client receiving chemotherapy develops neutropenia. Which nursing
intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage fresh flowers in the room
B. Encourage raw fruits and vegetables
C. Monitor closely for signs of infection
D. Restrict oral fluids
Answer: C. Monitor closely for signs of infection
Rationale: Neutropenia significantly increases infection risk. The nurse should
monitor temperature, assess for infection, and implement appropriate
precautions.
7. Which laboratory value is particularly important when assessing a client
receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum calcium
C. Blood glucose
D. Absolute neutrophil count
Answer: D. Absolute neutrophil count
Rationale: The absolute neutrophil count helps determine the severity of
neutropenia and the client's risk for infection.
, 8. A client receiving chemotherapy has thrombocytopenia. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Use a hard-bristled toothbrush
B. Encourage contact sports
C. Administer intramuscular injections routinely
D. Use bleeding precautions
Answer: D. Use bleeding precautions
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk. Bleeding precautions
include avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures, using a soft toothbrush, and
monitoring for bleeding.
9. Which symptom should a nurse recognize as potentially associated with
anemia during cancer treatment?
A. Increased appetite
B. Fatigue and weakness
C. Bradycardia with hypertension
D. Increased energy
Answer: B. Fatigue and weakness
Rationale: Reduced red blood cell production can cause anemia, resulting in
fatigue, weakness, pallor, dizziness, and decreased activity tolerance.
10. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing
chemotherapy-induced nausea?
A. Offer large meals
B. Encourage greasy foods
C. Provide small, frequent meals and prescribed antiemetics
D. Encourage eating immediately before chemotherapy
Answer: C. Provide small, frequent meals and prescribed antiemetics
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which characteristic is most consistent with a malignant tumor?
A. Slow growth and well-defined borders
B. Encapsulation within surrounding tissue
C. Invasion of surrounding tissues and potential metastasis
D. Normal cellular differentiation
Answer: C. Invasion of surrounding tissues and potential metastasis
Rationale: Malignant tumors characteristically invade surrounding tissues and
may spread to distant organs through the lymphatic or circulatory systems.
2. Which factor is considered a major modifiable risk factor for cancer?
A. Age
B. Family history
C. Genetic inheritance
D. Tobacco use
Answer: D. Tobacco use
Rationale: Tobacco exposure is a major preventable cause of multiple cancers,
including lung, oral, laryngeal, esophageal, and bladder cancers.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client about cancer prevention. Which recommendation
is most appropriate?
A. Avoid all physical activity
B. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and participate in recommended cancer
screenings
C. Take antibiotics regularly
D. Avoid all carbohydrates
Answer: B. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and participate in recommended cancer
screenings
Rationale: Cancer prevention includes avoiding tobacco, limiting harmful
exposures, maintaining healthy behaviors, and participating in age- and risk-
appropriate screening.
4. Which term describes the spread of malignant cancer cells from the original
site to distant organs?
A. Differentiation
B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metastasis
Answer: D. Metastasis
Rationale: Metastasis occurs when malignant cells spread from the primary
tumor to distant sites through lymphatic or blood vessels.
5. Which cancer is most strongly associated with cigarette smoking?
A. Thyroid cancer
B. Lung cancer
,C. Testicular cancer
D. Prostate cancer
Answer: B. Lung cancer
Rationale: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer and is also
associated with numerous other malignancies.
6. A client receiving chemotherapy develops neutropenia. Which nursing
intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage fresh flowers in the room
B. Encourage raw fruits and vegetables
C. Monitor closely for signs of infection
D. Restrict oral fluids
Answer: C. Monitor closely for signs of infection
Rationale: Neutropenia significantly increases infection risk. The nurse should
monitor temperature, assess for infection, and implement appropriate
precautions.
7. Which laboratory value is particularly important when assessing a client
receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum calcium
C. Blood glucose
D. Absolute neutrophil count
Answer: D. Absolute neutrophil count
Rationale: The absolute neutrophil count helps determine the severity of
neutropenia and the client's risk for infection.
, 8. A client receiving chemotherapy has thrombocytopenia. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Use a hard-bristled toothbrush
B. Encourage contact sports
C. Administer intramuscular injections routinely
D. Use bleeding precautions
Answer: D. Use bleeding precautions
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk. Bleeding precautions
include avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures, using a soft toothbrush, and
monitoring for bleeding.
9. Which symptom should a nurse recognize as potentially associated with
anemia during cancer treatment?
A. Increased appetite
B. Fatigue and weakness
C. Bradycardia with hypertension
D. Increased energy
Answer: B. Fatigue and weakness
Rationale: Reduced red blood cell production can cause anemia, resulting in
fatigue, weakness, pallor, dizziness, and decreased activity tolerance.
10. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing
chemotherapy-induced nausea?
A. Offer large meals
B. Encourage greasy foods
C. Provide small, frequent meals and prescribed antiemetics
D. Encourage eating immediately before chemotherapy
Answer: C. Provide small, frequent meals and prescribed antiemetics
