OCN® — Oncology Certified Nurse Exam|
YEAR 2026–2027 | Comprehensive 100-
Question Practice Test with Answers &
Rationales| Pdf Access ALREADY GRADED A+.
PART I — CANCER BASICS, SCREENING & DIAGNOSTICS
1. Which characteristic best distinguishes a malignant tumor from a benign tumor?
A. Slow growth
B. Encapsulation
C. Ability to invade and metastasize
D. Well-defined borders
Answer: C. Ability to invade and metastasize
Rationale: Malignant tumors can invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant sites through
the lymphatic or bloodstream.
2. Which process describes the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant
organs?
A. Differentiation
B. Metastasis
C. Apoptosis
D. Angiogenesis
Answer: B. Metastasis
Rationale: Metastasis occurs when malignant cells migrate from the primary site and establish
tumors at distant locations.
,3. A patient asks why cancer staging is performed. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "It determines the patient's blood type."
B. "It determines the patient's nutritional status."
C. "It describes the extent of cancer in the body."
D. "It determines whether chemotherapy will be painless."
Answer: C. "It describes the extent of cancer in the body."
Rationale: Staging determines the extent and spread of cancer and helps guide treatment
planning and prognosis.
4. In the TNM staging system, what does the "N" represent?
A. Necrosis
B. Nutrition
C. Regional lymph-node involvement
D. Number of primary tumors
Answer: C. Regional lymph-node involvement
Rationale: T describes the primary tumor, N describes regional lymph-node involvement, and M
describes distant metastasis.
5. Which diagnostic procedure provides tissue for definitive histologic diagnosis of many
cancers?
A. Biopsy
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Electrocardiogram
D. Urinalysis
Answer: A. Biopsy
Rationale: A biopsy obtains tissue that can be examined microscopically to establish a definitive
diagnosis.
6. Which tumor marker is commonly associated with prostate cancer?
,A. CA 125
B. PSA
C. CEA
D. AFP
Answer: B. PSA
Rationale: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is associated with prostate tissue and is commonly
used in prostate cancer screening and monitoring.
7. Which tumor marker is commonly associated with ovarian cancer?
A. CA-125
B. PSA
C. Troponin
D. BNP
Answer: A. CA-125
Rationale: CA-125 may be elevated in ovarian cancer and can be used to monitor treatment
response or recurrence, although it is not specific enough to diagnose ovarian cancer by itself.
8. 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.
9. Which statement about cancer prevention is correct?
A. All cancers are preventable.
B. Avoiding tobacco can reduce cancer risk.
C. Genetics has no effect on cancer risk.
D. Screening prevents every cancer.
, Answer: B. Avoiding tobacco can reduce cancer risk.
Rationale: Tobacco cessation significantly reduces the risk of many cancers, although no
prevention strategy eliminates all cancer risk.
10. Which cancer is strongly associated with chronic human papillomavirus infection?
A. Cervical cancer
B. Pancreatic cancer
C. Renal cancer
D. Brain cancer
Answer: A. Cervical cancer
Rationale: Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is a major cause of cervical cancer.
11. A patient with a strong family history of cancer asks about genetic counseling. What is the
nurse's best response?
A. "Genetic counseling can help assess inherited cancer risk."
B. "Genetic testing is required for everyone."
C. "Family history does not affect cancer risk."
D. "Genetic testing always predicts cancer."
Answer: A. "Genetic counseling can help assess inherited cancer risk."
Rationale: Genetic counseling evaluates personal and family history and helps patients
understand the benefits, limitations, and implications of genetic testing.
12. Which finding may suggest malignancy and requires further evaluation?
A. Persistent unexplained weight loss
B. Temporary muscle soreness
C. Mild thirst after exercise
D. Occasional sneezing
Answer: A. Persistent unexplained weight loss
Rationale: Unexplained weight loss can be a warning sign of cancer, although many
nonmalignant conditions can also cause it.
YEAR 2026–2027 | Comprehensive 100-
Question Practice Test with Answers &
Rationales| Pdf Access ALREADY GRADED A+.
PART I — CANCER BASICS, SCREENING & DIAGNOSTICS
1. Which characteristic best distinguishes a malignant tumor from a benign tumor?
A. Slow growth
B. Encapsulation
C. Ability to invade and metastasize
D. Well-defined borders
Answer: C. Ability to invade and metastasize
Rationale: Malignant tumors can invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant sites through
the lymphatic or bloodstream.
2. Which process describes the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant
organs?
A. Differentiation
B. Metastasis
C. Apoptosis
D. Angiogenesis
Answer: B. Metastasis
Rationale: Metastasis occurs when malignant cells migrate from the primary site and establish
tumors at distant locations.
,3. A patient asks why cancer staging is performed. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "It determines the patient's blood type."
B. "It determines the patient's nutritional status."
C. "It describes the extent of cancer in the body."
D. "It determines whether chemotherapy will be painless."
Answer: C. "It describes the extent of cancer in the body."
Rationale: Staging determines the extent and spread of cancer and helps guide treatment
planning and prognosis.
4. In the TNM staging system, what does the "N" represent?
A. Necrosis
B. Nutrition
C. Regional lymph-node involvement
D. Number of primary tumors
Answer: C. Regional lymph-node involvement
Rationale: T describes the primary tumor, N describes regional lymph-node involvement, and M
describes distant metastasis.
5. Which diagnostic procedure provides tissue for definitive histologic diagnosis of many
cancers?
A. Biopsy
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Electrocardiogram
D. Urinalysis
Answer: A. Biopsy
Rationale: A biopsy obtains tissue that can be examined microscopically to establish a definitive
diagnosis.
6. Which tumor marker is commonly associated with prostate cancer?
,A. CA 125
B. PSA
C. CEA
D. AFP
Answer: B. PSA
Rationale: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is associated with prostate tissue and is commonly
used in prostate cancer screening and monitoring.
7. Which tumor marker is commonly associated with ovarian cancer?
A. CA-125
B. PSA
C. Troponin
D. BNP
Answer: A. CA-125
Rationale: CA-125 may be elevated in ovarian cancer and can be used to monitor treatment
response or recurrence, although it is not specific enough to diagnose ovarian cancer by itself.
8. 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.
9. Which statement about cancer prevention is correct?
A. All cancers are preventable.
B. Avoiding tobacco can reduce cancer risk.
C. Genetics has no effect on cancer risk.
D. Screening prevents every cancer.
, Answer: B. Avoiding tobacco can reduce cancer risk.
Rationale: Tobacco cessation significantly reduces the risk of many cancers, although no
prevention strategy eliminates all cancer risk.
10. Which cancer is strongly associated with chronic human papillomavirus infection?
A. Cervical cancer
B. Pancreatic cancer
C. Renal cancer
D. Brain cancer
Answer: A. Cervical cancer
Rationale: Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is a major cause of cervical cancer.
11. A patient with a strong family history of cancer asks about genetic counseling. What is the
nurse's best response?
A. "Genetic counseling can help assess inherited cancer risk."
B. "Genetic testing is required for everyone."
C. "Family history does not affect cancer risk."
D. "Genetic testing always predicts cancer."
Answer: A. "Genetic counseling can help assess inherited cancer risk."
Rationale: Genetic counseling evaluates personal and family history and helps patients
understand the benefits, limitations, and implications of genetic testing.
12. Which finding may suggest malignancy and requires further evaluation?
A. Persistent unexplained weight loss
B. Temporary muscle soreness
C. Mild thirst after exercise
D. Occasional sneezing
Answer: A. Persistent unexplained weight loss
Rationale: Unexplained weight loss can be a warning sign of cancer, although many
nonmalignant conditions can also cause it.
