ONS/ONCC Chemo Renewal 2026 | Chemotherapy &
Immunotherapy Certificate Renewal Exam Questions and
Answers
Neoadjuvant therapy does not increase survival when compared to adjuvant therapy. It only changes
the timing of treatment and can change surgical options if the tumor is shrunk enough. If this occurs, the
patient may only require a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy instead of needing a mastectomy -
ANS✔✔-Main benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (breast cancer patient)
A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a multidisciplinary evaluation to assess life expectancy
and risk of morbidity and mortality in the older patient. This assessment tool would evaluate and include
the following areas: functional status, socioeconomic issues, psychosocial distress, comorbidities,
cognitive function, nutritional status, polypharmacy, and a medication review (NCCN Older Adult
Oncology Guidelines, version 1.2015). - ANS✔✔-Due to Mrs. Turner's age and comorbidities, her
oncologist performs a comprehensive geriatric assessment. You know that this assessment covers all but
which of the following:
65 - ANS✔✔-The NCCN Older Adult Oncology Guidelines (version 1.2015) provides information on what
is included in a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Currently, more than 60% of cancers in the United
States occur in people age ______and older and as the oncology world ages, nearly half (46%) of cancer
survivors are 70 years of age or older
Two of the agents (docetaxel and carboplatin) that Mrs. Turner will receive are categorized as irritants.
Docetaxel can cause a significant reaction if it extravasates. It can lead to edema, erythema, occasional
pain and blister formation (ONS Chemo/Bio guidelines, 2014). That is the most likely reason that Mrs.
Turner was given a port for her treatments. Some patients will receive their treatments through a
peripheral IV without incident. Just because they are intravenous agents does not mean that a port is
required and needing a port has nothing to do with her being older in age. Since none of these agents
are vesicants, they likely could have been given safely via peripheral route but having a port placed is OK
as well. - ANS✔✔-What is your best explanation for why Mrs. Turner was given a port to receive her
chemotherapy?
Irrirtants - ANS✔✔-_____________can cause inflammation, pain, and burning but rarely cause tissue
necrosis comparable to a vesicant (unless a large amount or a very high concentration of the irritant is
extravasated).
Vesicants - ANS✔✔-_____________can cause blistering and significant pain and tissue damage and
destruction, leading to tissue death.
Non-DNA-binding solutions remain in the local area of the extravasation, which improves the possibility
of drug deactivation.
DNA-binding agents attach to DNA nucleic acids, causing the antagonist to be ingested cellularly, leading
to progressive tissue destruction - ANS✔✔-A further classification of an antineoplastic agent's potential
to cause damage is whether its mechanism of action includes DNA binding.
Bendamustinea
Dactinomycin
, ONS/ONCC Chemo Renewal 2026 | Chemotherapy &
Immunotherapy Certificate Renewal Exam Questions and
Answers
Daunorubicin
Doxorubicin
Epirubicin
Idarubicin
Mechlorethamine
Mitomycin - ANS✔✔-DNA Binding Irritants
Amsacrine
Paclitaxel
Vinblastine
Vincristine
Vindesine
Vinorelbine - ANS✔✔-DNA Nonbinding vessicants
Sodium thiosulfate
Inject 2 ml of sodium thiosulfate for each milligram of
mechlorethamine extravasated.
Inject subcutaneously into extravasation site using a 25
gauge or smaller needle (change needle with each injection).
Monitor extravasation site according to the institution's
policies and procedures. - ANS✔✔-Extravasciation Alkylating / Mechlorethamine tx
Apply warm compresses.
Dexamethasone
8 mg twice daily
for 14 days - ANS✔✔-Extravasciation Alkylating: Oxaliplatin
Totect
Apply ice pack (remove 15
Immunotherapy Certificate Renewal Exam Questions and
Answers
Neoadjuvant therapy does not increase survival when compared to adjuvant therapy. It only changes
the timing of treatment and can change surgical options if the tumor is shrunk enough. If this occurs, the
patient may only require a lumpectomy plus radiation therapy instead of needing a mastectomy -
ANS✔✔-Main benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (breast cancer patient)
A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a multidisciplinary evaluation to assess life expectancy
and risk of morbidity and mortality in the older patient. This assessment tool would evaluate and include
the following areas: functional status, socioeconomic issues, psychosocial distress, comorbidities,
cognitive function, nutritional status, polypharmacy, and a medication review (NCCN Older Adult
Oncology Guidelines, version 1.2015). - ANS✔✔-Due to Mrs. Turner's age and comorbidities, her
oncologist performs a comprehensive geriatric assessment. You know that this assessment covers all but
which of the following:
65 - ANS✔✔-The NCCN Older Adult Oncology Guidelines (version 1.2015) provides information on what
is included in a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Currently, more than 60% of cancers in the United
States occur in people age ______and older and as the oncology world ages, nearly half (46%) of cancer
survivors are 70 years of age or older
Two of the agents (docetaxel and carboplatin) that Mrs. Turner will receive are categorized as irritants.
Docetaxel can cause a significant reaction if it extravasates. It can lead to edema, erythema, occasional
pain and blister formation (ONS Chemo/Bio guidelines, 2014). That is the most likely reason that Mrs.
Turner was given a port for her treatments. Some patients will receive their treatments through a
peripheral IV without incident. Just because they are intravenous agents does not mean that a port is
required and needing a port has nothing to do with her being older in age. Since none of these agents
are vesicants, they likely could have been given safely via peripheral route but having a port placed is OK
as well. - ANS✔✔-What is your best explanation for why Mrs. Turner was given a port to receive her
chemotherapy?
Irrirtants - ANS✔✔-_____________can cause inflammation, pain, and burning but rarely cause tissue
necrosis comparable to a vesicant (unless a large amount or a very high concentration of the irritant is
extravasated).
Vesicants - ANS✔✔-_____________can cause blistering and significant pain and tissue damage and
destruction, leading to tissue death.
Non-DNA-binding solutions remain in the local area of the extravasation, which improves the possibility
of drug deactivation.
DNA-binding agents attach to DNA nucleic acids, causing the antagonist to be ingested cellularly, leading
to progressive tissue destruction - ANS✔✔-A further classification of an antineoplastic agent's potential
to cause damage is whether its mechanism of action includes DNA binding.
Bendamustinea
Dactinomycin
, ONS/ONCC Chemo Renewal 2026 | Chemotherapy &
Immunotherapy Certificate Renewal Exam Questions and
Answers
Daunorubicin
Doxorubicin
Epirubicin
Idarubicin
Mechlorethamine
Mitomycin - ANS✔✔-DNA Binding Irritants
Amsacrine
Paclitaxel
Vinblastine
Vincristine
Vindesine
Vinorelbine - ANS✔✔-DNA Nonbinding vessicants
Sodium thiosulfate
Inject 2 ml of sodium thiosulfate for each milligram of
mechlorethamine extravasated.
Inject subcutaneously into extravasation site using a 25
gauge or smaller needle (change needle with each injection).
Monitor extravasation site according to the institution's
policies and procedures. - ANS✔✔-Extravasciation Alkylating / Mechlorethamine tx
Apply warm compresses.
Dexamethasone
8 mg twice daily
for 14 days - ANS✔✔-Extravasciation Alkylating: Oxaliplatin
Totect
Apply ice pack (remove 15
