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Nursing 354 Oncology Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. Which characteristic best distinguishes a malignant tumor from a benign
tumor?
A. Slow growth
B. Encapsulation
C. Ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize
D. Well-differentiated cells
Answer: C. Ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize
Rationale: Malignant tumors can invade local tissues and spread to distant sites
through the blood or lymphatic system.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about cancer risk factors. Which factor is
considered a modifiable cancer risk factor?
A. Age
B. Genetic inheritance
C. Tobacco use
D. Family history
Answer: C. Tobacco use
,Rationale: Tobacco exposure is a major modifiable risk factor associated with
multiple cancers, including lung, oral, pancreatic, bladder, and cervical cancers.
3. Which process occurs when cancer cells spread from the original tumor to
distant organs?
A. Differentiation
B. Metastasis
C. Apoptosis
D. Encapsulation
Answer: B. Metastasis
Rationale: Metastasis is the spread of malignant cells from a primary tumor to
distant tissues or organs.
4. A patient receiving chemotherapy develops neutropenia. Which laboratory
value is most important for the nurse to monitor?
A. Absolute neutrophil count
B. Serum sodium
C. Serum calcium
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: A. Absolute neutrophil count
Rationale: The absolute neutrophil count helps determine the patient's risk for
infection during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
5. A patient receiving chemotherapy has an absolute neutrophil count of 400
cells/mm³. Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Encourage raw fruits and vegetables
B. Place the patient on appropriate infection-prevention precautions
C. Encourage visitors with mild respiratory symptoms
D. Administer live vaccines
Answer: B. Place the patient on appropriate infection-prevention precautions
,Rationale: Severe neutropenia substantially increases infection risk. The nurse
should implement appropriate precautions and promptly evaluate signs of
infection.
6. Which finding in a patient receiving chemotherapy requires immediate
notification of the healthcare provider?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F)
C. Decreased appetite
D. Mild hair loss
Answer: B. Temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F)
Rationale: Fever during significant neutropenia may indicate a potentially life-
threatening infection and requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
7. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with many chemotherapy
agents?
A. Alopecia
B. Increased hair growth
C. Permanent hypertension
D. Increased bone density
Answer: A. Alopecia
Rationale: Chemotherapy can damage rapidly dividing hair follicle cells,
resulting in temporary or, with some treatments, prolonged hair loss.
8. A patient receiving chemotherapy reports nausea before treatment begins.
Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Delay all antiemetic therapy until vomiting occurs
B. Administer prescribed antiemetic medication before chemotherapy
C. Encourage a large meal immediately before treatment
D. Restrict oral fluids
Answer: B. Administer prescribed antiemetic medication before chemotherapy
, Rationale: Preventive antiemetic therapy is generally more effective than
waiting until significant nausea or vomiting develops.
9. Which oral-care intervention is appropriate for a patient receiving
chemotherapy who is at risk for mucositis?
A. Use an alcohol-based mouthwash
B. Brush aggressively with a hard-bristled toothbrush
C. Perform gentle oral care with a soft toothbrush
D. Avoid oral hygiene until chemotherapy is completed
Answer: C. Perform gentle oral care with a soft toothbrush
Rationale: Gentle oral hygiene helps reduce infection and maintain oral health
while minimizing trauma to fragile mucous membranes.
10.A patient receiving chemotherapy develops thrombocytopenia. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Use an electric razor for shaving
B. Administer intramuscular injections routinely
C. Encourage contact sports
D. Use a firm-bristled toothbrush
Answer: A. Use an electric razor for shaving
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk. Injury prevention and
avoidance of unnecessary invasive procedures are important.
11.Which laboratory finding is most concerning in a patient receiving
myelosuppressive chemotherapy?
A. Platelet count of 180,000/mm³
B. Hemoglobin of 13 g/dL
C. Absolute neutrophil count of 400 cells/mm³
D. White blood cell count of 8,000/mm³
Answer: C. Absolute neutrophil count of 400 cells/mm³
Nursing 354 Oncology Nursing Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. Which characteristic best distinguishes a malignant tumor from a benign
tumor?
A. Slow growth
B. Encapsulation
C. Ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize
D. Well-differentiated cells
Answer: C. Ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize
Rationale: Malignant tumors can invade local tissues and spread to distant sites
through the blood or lymphatic system.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about cancer risk factors. Which factor is
considered a modifiable cancer risk factor?
A. Age
B. Genetic inheritance
C. Tobacco use
D. Family history
Answer: C. Tobacco use
,Rationale: Tobacco exposure is a major modifiable risk factor associated with
multiple cancers, including lung, oral, pancreatic, bladder, and cervical cancers.
3. Which process occurs when cancer cells spread from the original tumor to
distant organs?
A. Differentiation
B. Metastasis
C. Apoptosis
D. Encapsulation
Answer: B. Metastasis
Rationale: Metastasis is the spread of malignant cells from a primary tumor to
distant tissues or organs.
4. A patient receiving chemotherapy develops neutropenia. Which laboratory
value is most important for the nurse to monitor?
A. Absolute neutrophil count
B. Serum sodium
C. Serum calcium
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: A. Absolute neutrophil count
Rationale: The absolute neutrophil count helps determine the patient's risk for
infection during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
5. A patient receiving chemotherapy has an absolute neutrophil count of 400
cells/mm³. Which nursing action is the priority?
A. Encourage raw fruits and vegetables
B. Place the patient on appropriate infection-prevention precautions
C. Encourage visitors with mild respiratory symptoms
D. Administer live vaccines
Answer: B. Place the patient on appropriate infection-prevention precautions
,Rationale: Severe neutropenia substantially increases infection risk. The nurse
should implement appropriate precautions and promptly evaluate signs of
infection.
6. Which finding in a patient receiving chemotherapy requires immediate
notification of the healthcare provider?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F)
C. Decreased appetite
D. Mild hair loss
Answer: B. Temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F)
Rationale: Fever during significant neutropenia may indicate a potentially life-
threatening infection and requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
7. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with many chemotherapy
agents?
A. Alopecia
B. Increased hair growth
C. Permanent hypertension
D. Increased bone density
Answer: A. Alopecia
Rationale: Chemotherapy can damage rapidly dividing hair follicle cells,
resulting in temporary or, with some treatments, prolonged hair loss.
8. A patient receiving chemotherapy reports nausea before treatment begins.
Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Delay all antiemetic therapy until vomiting occurs
B. Administer prescribed antiemetic medication before chemotherapy
C. Encourage a large meal immediately before treatment
D. Restrict oral fluids
Answer: B. Administer prescribed antiemetic medication before chemotherapy
, Rationale: Preventive antiemetic therapy is generally more effective than
waiting until significant nausea or vomiting develops.
9. Which oral-care intervention is appropriate for a patient receiving
chemotherapy who is at risk for mucositis?
A. Use an alcohol-based mouthwash
B. Brush aggressively with a hard-bristled toothbrush
C. Perform gentle oral care with a soft toothbrush
D. Avoid oral hygiene until chemotherapy is completed
Answer: C. Perform gentle oral care with a soft toothbrush
Rationale: Gentle oral hygiene helps reduce infection and maintain oral health
while minimizing trauma to fragile mucous membranes.
10.A patient receiving chemotherapy develops thrombocytopenia. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Use an electric razor for shaving
B. Administer intramuscular injections routinely
C. Encourage contact sports
D. Use a firm-bristled toothbrush
Answer: A. Use an electric razor for shaving
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk. Injury prevention and
avoidance of unnecessary invasive procedures are important.
11.Which laboratory finding is most concerning in a patient receiving
myelosuppressive chemotherapy?
A. Platelet count of 180,000/mm³
B. Hemoglobin of 13 g/dL
C. Absolute neutrophil count of 400 cells/mm³
D. White blood cell count of 8,000/mm³
Answer: C. Absolute neutrophil count of 400 cells/mm³
