Oncology Certified Nurse Exam Question
and correct answers (verified answers
100%) Q&A
2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient receiving chemotherapy develops a neutrophil count of 400/mm³. Which nursing
intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage fresh fruits and vegetables
B. Initiate neutropenic precautions
C. Administer aspirin for fever prevention
D. Encourage visitors to bring flowers
Correct Answer: B. Initiate neutropenic precautions
Rationale: An absolute neutrophil count below 500/mm³ indicates severe neutropenia and a
significantly increased risk of infection. Infection-prevention measures are therefore a priority.
2. Which finding in a patient receiving chemotherapy requires immediate notification of the
oncology provider?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
C. Decreased appetite
D. Mild taste changes
Correct Answer: B. Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
Rationale: Fever in a neutropenic patient can indicate a life-threatening infection. Prompt
evaluation and treatment are essential.
3. A patient receiving vesicant chemotherapy reports burning and pain at the IV site. What
should the nurse do first?
,A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Flush the IV rapidly
C. Stop the infusion
D. Apply pressure to the site
Correct Answer: C. Stop the infusion
Rationale: Burning or pain can indicate extravasation. The infusion should be stopped
immediately while maintaining appropriate access according to the drug-specific extravasation
protocol.
4. Which laboratory value is most important before administering many cytotoxic
chemotherapy agents?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Complete blood count
C. Serum amylase
D. Lipid profile
Correct Answer: B. Complete blood count
Rationale: Chemotherapy can suppress bone marrow function. CBC results help determine
whether treatment can safely proceed.
5. Which symptom is commonly associated with chemotherapy-induced mucositis?
A. Oral ulcerations
B. Hearing loss
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Correct Answer: A. Oral ulcerations
Rationale: Mucositis can cause painful inflammation and ulceration of the oral and
gastrointestinal mucosa.
6. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis?
A. Use an alcohol-based mouthwash
B. Brush aggressively with a hard-bristled toothbrush
,C. Provide saline or bicarbonate mouth rinses
D. Encourage spicy foods
Correct Answer: C. Provide saline or bicarbonate mouth rinses
Rationale: Gentle nonirritating rinses can help maintain oral hygiene and reduce discomfort.
Alcohol-containing products may worsen mucosal irritation.
7. Which medication class is commonly used to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and
vomiting?
A. Antiemetics
B. Anticoagulants
C. Antihypertensives
D. Antacids
Correct Answer: A. Antiemetics
Rationale: Antiemetic therapy is routinely used before and after emetogenic chemotherapy to
prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting.
8. A patient receiving chemotherapy has a platelet count of 18,000/mm³. Which intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Encourage vigorous exercise
B. Use an electric razor
C. Administer IM injections
D. Encourage aspirin use
Correct Answer: B. Use an electric razor
Rationale: Severe thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk. An electric razor reduces the risk of
skin injury compared with a blade.
9. Which instruction is appropriate for a patient with chemotherapy-induced
thrombocytopenia?
A. Use a soft toothbrush
B. Take aspirin for headaches
, C. Use dental floss aggressively
D. Participate in contact sports
Correct Answer: A. Use a soft toothbrush
Rationale: A soft toothbrush reduces trauma and bleeding risk when platelet levels are low.
10. Which assessment is most important for a patient receiving an anthracycline?
A. Cardiac function
B. Visual acuity only
C. Hearing ability
D. Skin pigmentation
Correct Answer: A. Cardiac function
Rationale: Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin can cause dose-related cardiotoxicity. Cardiac
function is monitored before and during treatment.
11. Which adverse effect is associated with cisplatin therapy?
A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Severe hypertension only
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Increased platelet production
Correct Answer: A. Nephrotoxicity
Rationale: Cisplatin can cause significant renal toxicity. Hydration and monitoring of renal
function are important during therapy.
12. A patient receiving cisplatin should be monitored closely for which additional toxicity?
A. Ototoxicity
B. Cataracts only
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Polycythemia
Correct Answer: A. Ototoxicity
Rationale: Cisplatin may damage the auditory system, causing tinnitus or hearing loss.
and correct answers (verified answers
100%) Q&A
2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient receiving chemotherapy develops a neutrophil count of 400/mm³. Which nursing
intervention is the priority?
A. Encourage fresh fruits and vegetables
B. Initiate neutropenic precautions
C. Administer aspirin for fever prevention
D. Encourage visitors to bring flowers
Correct Answer: B. Initiate neutropenic precautions
Rationale: An absolute neutrophil count below 500/mm³ indicates severe neutropenia and a
significantly increased risk of infection. Infection-prevention measures are therefore a priority.
2. Which finding in a patient receiving chemotherapy requires immediate notification of the
oncology provider?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
C. Decreased appetite
D. Mild taste changes
Correct Answer: B. Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
Rationale: Fever in a neutropenic patient can indicate a life-threatening infection. Prompt
evaluation and treatment are essential.
3. A patient receiving vesicant chemotherapy reports burning and pain at the IV site. What
should the nurse do first?
,A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Flush the IV rapidly
C. Stop the infusion
D. Apply pressure to the site
Correct Answer: C. Stop the infusion
Rationale: Burning or pain can indicate extravasation. The infusion should be stopped
immediately while maintaining appropriate access according to the drug-specific extravasation
protocol.
4. Which laboratory value is most important before administering many cytotoxic
chemotherapy agents?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Complete blood count
C. Serum amylase
D. Lipid profile
Correct Answer: B. Complete blood count
Rationale: Chemotherapy can suppress bone marrow function. CBC results help determine
whether treatment can safely proceed.
5. Which symptom is commonly associated with chemotherapy-induced mucositis?
A. Oral ulcerations
B. Hearing loss
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Correct Answer: A. Oral ulcerations
Rationale: Mucositis can cause painful inflammation and ulceration of the oral and
gastrointestinal mucosa.
6. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis?
A. Use an alcohol-based mouthwash
B. Brush aggressively with a hard-bristled toothbrush
,C. Provide saline or bicarbonate mouth rinses
D. Encourage spicy foods
Correct Answer: C. Provide saline or bicarbonate mouth rinses
Rationale: Gentle nonirritating rinses can help maintain oral hygiene and reduce discomfort.
Alcohol-containing products may worsen mucosal irritation.
7. Which medication class is commonly used to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and
vomiting?
A. Antiemetics
B. Anticoagulants
C. Antihypertensives
D. Antacids
Correct Answer: A. Antiemetics
Rationale: Antiemetic therapy is routinely used before and after emetogenic chemotherapy to
prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting.
8. A patient receiving chemotherapy has a platelet count of 18,000/mm³. Which intervention
is most appropriate?
A. Encourage vigorous exercise
B. Use an electric razor
C. Administer IM injections
D. Encourage aspirin use
Correct Answer: B. Use an electric razor
Rationale: Severe thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk. An electric razor reduces the risk of
skin injury compared with a blade.
9. Which instruction is appropriate for a patient with chemotherapy-induced
thrombocytopenia?
A. Use a soft toothbrush
B. Take aspirin for headaches
, C. Use dental floss aggressively
D. Participate in contact sports
Correct Answer: A. Use a soft toothbrush
Rationale: A soft toothbrush reduces trauma and bleeding risk when platelet levels are low.
10. Which assessment is most important for a patient receiving an anthracycline?
A. Cardiac function
B. Visual acuity only
C. Hearing ability
D. Skin pigmentation
Correct Answer: A. Cardiac function
Rationale: Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin can cause dose-related cardiotoxicity. Cardiac
function is monitored before and during treatment.
11. Which adverse effect is associated with cisplatin therapy?
A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Severe hypertension only
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Increased platelet production
Correct Answer: A. Nephrotoxicity
Rationale: Cisplatin can cause significant renal toxicity. Hydration and monitoring of renal
function are important during therapy.
12. A patient receiving cisplatin should be monitored closely for which additional toxicity?
A. Ototoxicity
B. Cataracts only
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Polycythemia
Correct Answer: A. Ototoxicity
Rationale: Cisplatin may damage the auditory system, causing tinnitus or hearing loss.
