PON 308 PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY IN
NURSING ACTUAL UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Describe the most common warning signs of childhood cancer.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Common warning signs include unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, and pallor that
does not improve. Children may also present with unusual masses, persistent pain, or
recurrent infections. Prolonged fatigue and easy bruising can indicate hematologic
malignancies. Nurses play a key role in early recognition because parents may mistake
symptoms for common childhood illnesses.
Explain the role of the nurse in diagnosing pediatric cancer.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Nurses gather thorough health histories, observe subtle physical changes, and identify red
flag symptoms. They coordinate diagnostic tests such as CBC, imaging, and biopsies. In
addition, nurses prepare children for procedures by using age-appropriate explanations to
reduce fear. Their input contributes to early detection and safe diagnostic processes.
Discuss leukemia and why it is the most common childhood cancer.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Leukemia originates from abnormal proliferation of immature white blood cells in the bone
marrow. It is common because the rapidly growing hematopoietic system in children is
vulnerable to genetic mutations. Overcrowding in the marrow causes anemia,
thrombocytopenia, and susceptibility to infections. Early treatment greatly improves survival.
Differentiate between ALL and AML in children.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) affects lymphoid cells and is more common in
younger children. AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) affects myeloid cells and tends to present
with more aggressive symptoms. Treatment protocols differ, with ALL often having better
outcomes. Nurses must understand these differences to support tailored care.
Describe the clinical features of pediatric brain tumors.
, CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Symptoms include persistent headaches, early morning vomiting, seizures, and changes in
vision. Children may also show personality changes, poor coordination, or delayed
milestones. Increased intracranial pressure leads to irritability and lethargy. Early recognition
is crucial because symptoms are sometimes mistaken for behavioral issues.
Explain nursing care for a child undergoing chemotherapy.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Nursing care focuses on managing side effects such as nausea, mucositis, and fatigue. Nurses
monitor vital signs, hydration status, and risk for infection. They provide emotional support
and encourage safe activity levels. Education for families includes handling medications,
infection control, and recognizing emergency symptoms.
Discuss the long-term effects of chemotherapy on children.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Long-term effects may include growth delays, learning difficulties, cardiotoxicity, and
fertility challenges. The severity depends on dosage and duration of therapy. Nurses support
survivors by coordinating follow-up assessments and promoting healthy lifestyle habits.
Early monitoring helps prevent or reduce complications.
Describe neutropenia and its significance in oncology care.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Neutropenia is a dangerously low neutrophil count, placing children at high risk for infection.
Even mild infections can become life-threatening due to weakened immunity. Nurses enforce
strict infection-control measures, including hand hygiene, visitor restrictions, and safe food
practices. Parents are taught when to seek emergency care.
Explain the purpose of lumbar puncture in pediatric oncology.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Lumbar puncture helps detect cancer cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, especially in leukemia
and lymphoma. It also allows intrathecal administration of chemotherapy. Nurses prepare the
child by explaining the procedure calmly and using distraction techniques. Afterward, they
monitor for headache, bleeding, or neurological changes.
Discuss radiation therapy and its side effects in children.
NURSING ACTUAL UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Describe the most common warning signs of childhood cancer.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Common warning signs include unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, and pallor that
does not improve. Children may also present with unusual masses, persistent pain, or
recurrent infections. Prolonged fatigue and easy bruising can indicate hematologic
malignancies. Nurses play a key role in early recognition because parents may mistake
symptoms for common childhood illnesses.
Explain the role of the nurse in diagnosing pediatric cancer.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Nurses gather thorough health histories, observe subtle physical changes, and identify red
flag symptoms. They coordinate diagnostic tests such as CBC, imaging, and biopsies. In
addition, nurses prepare children for procedures by using age-appropriate explanations to
reduce fear. Their input contributes to early detection and safe diagnostic processes.
Discuss leukemia and why it is the most common childhood cancer.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Leukemia originates from abnormal proliferation of immature white blood cells in the bone
marrow. It is common because the rapidly growing hematopoietic system in children is
vulnerable to genetic mutations. Overcrowding in the marrow causes anemia,
thrombocytopenia, and susceptibility to infections. Early treatment greatly improves survival.
Differentiate between ALL and AML in children.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) affects lymphoid cells and is more common in
younger children. AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) affects myeloid cells and tends to present
with more aggressive symptoms. Treatment protocols differ, with ALL often having better
outcomes. Nurses must understand these differences to support tailored care.
Describe the clinical features of pediatric brain tumors.
, CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Symptoms include persistent headaches, early morning vomiting, seizures, and changes in
vision. Children may also show personality changes, poor coordination, or delayed
milestones. Increased intracranial pressure leads to irritability and lethargy. Early recognition
is crucial because symptoms are sometimes mistaken for behavioral issues.
Explain nursing care for a child undergoing chemotherapy.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Nursing care focuses on managing side effects such as nausea, mucositis, and fatigue. Nurses
monitor vital signs, hydration status, and risk for infection. They provide emotional support
and encourage safe activity levels. Education for families includes handling medications,
infection control, and recognizing emergency symptoms.
Discuss the long-term effects of chemotherapy on children.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Long-term effects may include growth delays, learning difficulties, cardiotoxicity, and
fertility challenges. The severity depends on dosage and duration of therapy. Nurses support
survivors by coordinating follow-up assessments and promoting healthy lifestyle habits.
Early monitoring helps prevent or reduce complications.
Describe neutropenia and its significance in oncology care.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Neutropenia is a dangerously low neutrophil count, placing children at high risk for infection.
Even mild infections can become life-threatening due to weakened immunity. Nurses enforce
strict infection-control measures, including hand hygiene, visitor restrictions, and safe food
practices. Parents are taught when to seek emergency care.
Explain the purpose of lumbar puncture in pediatric oncology.
CORRECT ANSWERS ✅✅
Lumbar puncture helps detect cancer cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, especially in leukemia
and lymphoma. It also allows intrathecal administration of chemotherapy. Nurses prepare the
child by explaining the procedure calmly and using distraction techniques. Afterward, they
monitor for headache, bleeding, or neurological changes.
Discuss radiation therapy and its side effects in children.
