Nursing 354 Chemotherapy Nursing
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1. Which is the primary purpose of chemotherapy in cancer treatment?
A. To increase red blood cell production
B. To destroy or inhibit the growth of malignant cells
C. To prevent all infections
D. To permanently replace damaged organs
Answer: B. To destroy or inhibit the growth of malignant cells
Rationale: Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic or other antineoplastic agents to
destroy cancer cells or inhibit their growth and reproduction.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a vesicant chemotherapy medication.
Which action is the priority?
A. Use the smallest possible IV catheter
B. Verify adequate vascular access before administration
C. Flush the line with sterile water
D. Apply a warm compress before administration
,Answer: B. Verify adequate vascular access before administration
Rationale: Vesicants can cause severe tissue injury if they extravasate. Patency
and appropriate vascular access must be confirmed before administration.
3. Which laboratory value is most important for assessing a patient's risk for
infection during chemotherapy?
A. Platelet count
B. Serum sodium
C. Absolute neutrophil count
D. Serum calcium
Answer: C. Absolute neutrophil count
Rationale: The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is used to assess the degree of
neutropenia and the patient's risk for infection.
4. Which finding should the nurse report immediately in a patient receiving
chemotherapy?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher
C. Mild taste changes
D. Decreased appetite for one meal
Answer: B. Temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher
Rationale: Fever during chemotherapy may indicate neutropenic infection and
requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
5. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with many cytotoxic
chemotherapy agents?
,A. Hair loss
B. Increased platelet production
C. Permanent hypertension
D. Increased appetite
Answer: A. Hair loss
Rationale: Alopecia is a common effect of chemotherapy because rapidly
dividing hair-follicle cells can be affected by antineoplastic medications.
6. Which teaching is most appropriate for a patient experiencing chemotherapy-
induced nausea?
A. Eat large meals three times daily
B. Avoid all fluids
C. Eat small, frequent meals
D. Lie completely flat after meals
Answer: C. Eat small, frequent meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals and avoidance of strong odors can help reduce
chemotherapy-related nausea and improve nutritional intake.
7. Which blood cell is primarily responsible for preventing infection?
A. Red blood cell
B. White blood cell
C. Platelet
D. Reticulocyte
Answer: B. White blood cell
Rationale: White blood cells, particularly neutrophils, play a major role in
defending the body against infection.
, 8. A chemotherapy patient has an ANC of 400 cells/mm³. How should the nurse
interpret this finding?
A. Normal immune function
B. Mild anemia
C. Severe neutropenia
D. Thrombocytosis
Answer: C. Severe neutropenia
Rationale: An ANC below 500 cells/mm³ represents severe neutropenia and
significantly increases the risk of infection.
9. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with significant
chemotherapy-induced neutropenia?
A. Encourage contact with people who have respiratory infections
B. Encourage meticulous hand hygiene
C. Place fresh flowers in the patient's room
D. Recommend raw foods from buffets
Answer: B. Encourage meticulous hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for reducing
infection transmission in neutropenic patients.
10. Which chemotherapy complication is associated with a decreased platelet
count?
A. Infection
B. Bleeding
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Fluid overload
Answer: B. Bleeding
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1. Which is the primary purpose of chemotherapy in cancer treatment?
A. To increase red blood cell production
B. To destroy or inhibit the growth of malignant cells
C. To prevent all infections
D. To permanently replace damaged organs
Answer: B. To destroy or inhibit the growth of malignant cells
Rationale: Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic or other antineoplastic agents to
destroy cancer cells or inhibit their growth and reproduction.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a vesicant chemotherapy medication.
Which action is the priority?
A. Use the smallest possible IV catheter
B. Verify adequate vascular access before administration
C. Flush the line with sterile water
D. Apply a warm compress before administration
,Answer: B. Verify adequate vascular access before administration
Rationale: Vesicants can cause severe tissue injury if they extravasate. Patency
and appropriate vascular access must be confirmed before administration.
3. Which laboratory value is most important for assessing a patient's risk for
infection during chemotherapy?
A. Platelet count
B. Serum sodium
C. Absolute neutrophil count
D. Serum calcium
Answer: C. Absolute neutrophil count
Rationale: The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is used to assess the degree of
neutropenia and the patient's risk for infection.
4. Which finding should the nurse report immediately in a patient receiving
chemotherapy?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher
C. Mild taste changes
D. Decreased appetite for one meal
Answer: B. Temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher
Rationale: Fever during chemotherapy may indicate neutropenic infection and
requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
5. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with many cytotoxic
chemotherapy agents?
,A. Hair loss
B. Increased platelet production
C. Permanent hypertension
D. Increased appetite
Answer: A. Hair loss
Rationale: Alopecia is a common effect of chemotherapy because rapidly
dividing hair-follicle cells can be affected by antineoplastic medications.
6. Which teaching is most appropriate for a patient experiencing chemotherapy-
induced nausea?
A. Eat large meals three times daily
B. Avoid all fluids
C. Eat small, frequent meals
D. Lie completely flat after meals
Answer: C. Eat small, frequent meals
Rationale: Small, frequent meals and avoidance of strong odors can help reduce
chemotherapy-related nausea and improve nutritional intake.
7. Which blood cell is primarily responsible for preventing infection?
A. Red blood cell
B. White blood cell
C. Platelet
D. Reticulocyte
Answer: B. White blood cell
Rationale: White blood cells, particularly neutrophils, play a major role in
defending the body against infection.
, 8. A chemotherapy patient has an ANC of 400 cells/mm³. How should the nurse
interpret this finding?
A. Normal immune function
B. Mild anemia
C. Severe neutropenia
D. Thrombocytosis
Answer: C. Severe neutropenia
Rationale: An ANC below 500 cells/mm³ represents severe neutropenia and
significantly increases the risk of infection.
9. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with significant
chemotherapy-induced neutropenia?
A. Encourage contact with people who have respiratory infections
B. Encourage meticulous hand hygiene
C. Place fresh flowers in the patient's room
D. Recommend raw foods from buffets
Answer: B. Encourage meticulous hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for reducing
infection transmission in neutropenic patients.
10. Which chemotherapy complication is associated with a decreased platelet
count?
A. Infection
B. Bleeding
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Fluid overload
Answer: B. Bleeding
