Question 1
Alkylating agents exert their effects by:
binding to DNA strands, preventing DNA replication and cell division.
causing the release of toxic free radicals inside the cell, triggering cell apoptosis.
attaching to CD52 on the surface of B and T cells, resulting in antibody-dependent lysis.
disrupting folate-dependent metabolic processes essential for cell replication.
ANSWER
binding to DNA strands, preventing DNA replication and cell division.
Answer: Alkalyting agents break the DNA helix strand and interfere with DNA replication.
Reference: Polovich, M., Olsen, M., & LeFebvre, K. (Eds.). (2014). Chemotherapy and
biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (4th ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology
Nursing Society, p. 27(t).
Question 2
A patient demonstrates an adequate understanding of the teaching provided regarding
chemotherapy and myelosuppression by stating: "Myelosuppression is:
a potential side effect of many cancer treatments."
unintentional prior to a bone marrow transplant."
when laboratory values show an elevation in the white blood cell count."
the overreaction of the body's immune system to a medication."
1
,ANSWER
a potential side effect of many cancer treatments."
Answer: Chemotherapy will decrease the response by the immune system by causing
neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, collectively known as myelosuppression.
Reference: Polovich, M., Olsen, M., & LeFebvre, K. (Eds.). (2014). Chemotherapy and
biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (4th ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology
Nursing Society, p. 171.
Question 3
The nurse preparing to instill intravesical mitomycin should wear which of the following
pieces of personal protective equipment?
A plastic face shield
A pair of shoe covers
A front-closing laboratory gown
One pair of powdered nitrile gloves
ANSWER
A plastic face shield
Answer: A plastic face shield should be used when splashing of hazardous drugs is possible.
Intravesical administration carries a risk of splashing.
Reference: Polovich, M. (2017). Safe handling of hazardous drugs (3rd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA:
Oncology Nursing Society, p. 27.
2
, Question 4
Hormone therapy is effective for which two types of cancer?
Breast and prostate
Sarcoma and small cell lung
Lymphoma and gallbladder
Liver and chronic myeloid leukemia
ANSWER
Breast and prostate
Answer: Hormone therapy has been successfully used to treat breast and prostate cancers.
Reference: Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing
Society, p. 259.
Question 5
Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer is administered:
after primary therapy to increase the chance of long-term, disease-free survival.
before primary therapy to shrink a tumor that is inoperable in its current state.
at any time during therapy to cure the patient and kill cancer cells.
to locally treat cancer with minimal harm to normal cells.
ANSWER
after primary therapy to increase the chance of long-term, disease-free survival.
Answer: The goal of adjuvant therapy is to target minimal, residual disease for patients at
high risk of developing metastasis.
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Alkylating agents exert their effects by:
binding to DNA strands, preventing DNA replication and cell division.
causing the release of toxic free radicals inside the cell, triggering cell apoptosis.
attaching to CD52 on the surface of B and T cells, resulting in antibody-dependent lysis.
disrupting folate-dependent metabolic processes essential for cell replication.
ANSWER
binding to DNA strands, preventing DNA replication and cell division.
Answer: Alkalyting agents break the DNA helix strand and interfere with DNA replication.
Reference: Polovich, M., Olsen, M., & LeFebvre, K. (Eds.). (2014). Chemotherapy and
biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (4th ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology
Nursing Society, p. 27(t).
Question 2
A patient demonstrates an adequate understanding of the teaching provided regarding
chemotherapy and myelosuppression by stating: "Myelosuppression is:
a potential side effect of many cancer treatments."
unintentional prior to a bone marrow transplant."
when laboratory values show an elevation in the white blood cell count."
the overreaction of the body's immune system to a medication."
1
,ANSWER
a potential side effect of many cancer treatments."
Answer: Chemotherapy will decrease the response by the immune system by causing
neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, collectively known as myelosuppression.
Reference: Polovich, M., Olsen, M., & LeFebvre, K. (Eds.). (2014). Chemotherapy and
biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (4th ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology
Nursing Society, p. 171.
Question 3
The nurse preparing to instill intravesical mitomycin should wear which of the following
pieces of personal protective equipment?
A plastic face shield
A pair of shoe covers
A front-closing laboratory gown
One pair of powdered nitrile gloves
ANSWER
A plastic face shield
Answer: A plastic face shield should be used when splashing of hazardous drugs is possible.
Intravesical administration carries a risk of splashing.
Reference: Polovich, M. (2017). Safe handling of hazardous drugs (3rd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA:
Oncology Nursing Society, p. 27.
2
, Question 4
Hormone therapy is effective for which two types of cancer?
Breast and prostate
Sarcoma and small cell lung
Lymphoma and gallbladder
Liver and chronic myeloid leukemia
ANSWER
Breast and prostate
Answer: Hormone therapy has been successfully used to treat breast and prostate cancers.
Reference: Eggert, J. (Ed.). (2017). Cancer basics (2nd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing
Society, p. 259.
Question 5
Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer is administered:
after primary therapy to increase the chance of long-term, disease-free survival.
before primary therapy to shrink a tumor that is inoperable in its current state.
at any time during therapy to cure the patient and kill cancer cells.
to locally treat cancer with minimal harm to normal cells.
ANSWER
after primary therapy to increase the chance of long-term, disease-free survival.
Answer: The goal of adjuvant therapy is to target minimal, residual disease for patients at
high risk of developing metastasis.
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