AONN CERTIFICATION EXAM MASTERY GUIDE: 200 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND IN-DEPTH
RATIONALES SPANNING ALL TESTED COMPETENCIES – LATEST
RELEASE, GRADED A+
1. A patient with newly diagnosed lung cancer tells the navigator, "I
don't think I can go through with treatment. What's the point?" What
is the navigator's priority action?
A. Immediately schedule a psychiatric consultation
B. Explore the patient's concerns and sources of distress using a
validated tool
C. Advise the patient to discuss prognosis with the oncologist only
D. Document the statement and proceed with treatment planning
Answer: B
Rationale: The NCCN defines distress as a multifactorial unpleasant
emotional experience. The navigator should first assess the nature and
source of the patient's distress using a tool like the NCCN Distress
Thermometer before making referrals, as this aligns with the
Psychosocial Support Services domain.
2. According to Mullan's Seasons of Survival model, which phase is
characterized by ongoing surveillance and management of late effects
after initial treatment has ended, but with a continued risk of
recurrence?
A. Acute survival
,B. Extended survival
C. Permanent survival
D. Terminal survival
Answer: B
Rationale: Mullan's model describes Extended Survival as the period
following primary treatment, characterized by remission or a "new
normal," but with ongoing monitoring for recurrence and late effects.
Acute survival is the diagnosis and initial treatment phase, while
Permanent survival is long-term, with a significantly reduced risk of
recurrence.
3. A patient presents with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer and
has no health insurance. Based on the statistics provided in the AONN
core content, what is the most accurate statement regarding the
financial impact of cancer on this patient?
A. 1 in 10 patients will use all of their savings due to the cost of cancer
B. 1 in 5 patients will use all of their savings due to the cost of cancer
C. 1 in 3 patients will declare bankruptcy due to the cost of cancer
D. Less than 5% of patients will experience significant financial toxicity
Answer: B
Rationale: According to the provided exam content, 1 in 5 people will
use all of their savings due to the cost of cancer, highlighting a critical
financial barrier that navigators must address through resource
mapping and advocacy.
4. Which of the following is a core component of the Chronic Care
Model (CCM) that is integrated into oncology navigation practice?
,A. Exclusive focus on acute hospital-based interventions
B. Emphasis on episodic, reactive care delivery
C. Self-management support and delivery system design
D. Limiting patient access to multidisciplinary teams
Answer: C
Rationale: The Chronic Care Model includes self-management support,
delivery system design, decision support, and clinical information
systems. It is integrated into navigation to promote proactive, patient-
centered care for chronic conditions like cancer.
5. In the context of the Quality of Life Model used in oncology
navigation, which of the following domains is explicitly included?
A. Financial well-being only
B. Physical, psychosocial, social well-being, and spiritual
C. Occupational and recreational well-being
D. Genetic and familial well-being
Answer: B
Rationale: The Quality of Life Model explicitly includes Physical,
Psychosocial, Social Wellbeing, and Spiritual domains. These four pillars
guide holistic assessment and intervention by the navigator.
6. According to the Commission on Cancer (CoC) Standard 3.3 (2015-
2019), what is the minimum percentage of patients that must receive
a survivorship care plan?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 25%
, D. 50%
Answer: B
Rationale: CoC Standard 3.3 mandated that at least 10% of eligible
patients must have a survivorship care plan to meet compliance,
although this threshold has evolved in later standards to encourage
broader implementation.
7. A patient who completed breast cancer treatment 18 months ago
reports significant fatigue, cognitive changes, and emotional lability.
The navigator recognizes these as potential late effects. According to
the IOM 2006 recommendations, what document should this patient
have received at the end of active treatment?
A. A genetic testing report
B. A treatment summary and survivorship care plan individualized to
their disease
C. A disability application form
D. A clinical trial enrollment form
Answer: B
Rationale: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2006 report recommended
that every cancer patient receive an individualized Treatment Summary
and Survivorship Care Plan to facilitate coordination between
oncologists and primary care providers and to manage long-term
effects.
8. True/False: Patients without health insurance are less compliant
with medications and treatment adherence.
A. True
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND IN-DEPTH
RATIONALES SPANNING ALL TESTED COMPETENCIES – LATEST
RELEASE, GRADED A+
1. A patient with newly diagnosed lung cancer tells the navigator, "I
don't think I can go through with treatment. What's the point?" What
is the navigator's priority action?
A. Immediately schedule a psychiatric consultation
B. Explore the patient's concerns and sources of distress using a
validated tool
C. Advise the patient to discuss prognosis with the oncologist only
D. Document the statement and proceed with treatment planning
Answer: B
Rationale: The NCCN defines distress as a multifactorial unpleasant
emotional experience. The navigator should first assess the nature and
source of the patient's distress using a tool like the NCCN Distress
Thermometer before making referrals, as this aligns with the
Psychosocial Support Services domain.
2. According to Mullan's Seasons of Survival model, which phase is
characterized by ongoing surveillance and management of late effects
after initial treatment has ended, but with a continued risk of
recurrence?
A. Acute survival
,B. Extended survival
C. Permanent survival
D. Terminal survival
Answer: B
Rationale: Mullan's model describes Extended Survival as the period
following primary treatment, characterized by remission or a "new
normal," but with ongoing monitoring for recurrence and late effects.
Acute survival is the diagnosis and initial treatment phase, while
Permanent survival is long-term, with a significantly reduced risk of
recurrence.
3. A patient presents with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer and
has no health insurance. Based on the statistics provided in the AONN
core content, what is the most accurate statement regarding the
financial impact of cancer on this patient?
A. 1 in 10 patients will use all of their savings due to the cost of cancer
B. 1 in 5 patients will use all of their savings due to the cost of cancer
C. 1 in 3 patients will declare bankruptcy due to the cost of cancer
D. Less than 5% of patients will experience significant financial toxicity
Answer: B
Rationale: According to the provided exam content, 1 in 5 people will
use all of their savings due to the cost of cancer, highlighting a critical
financial barrier that navigators must address through resource
mapping and advocacy.
4. Which of the following is a core component of the Chronic Care
Model (CCM) that is integrated into oncology navigation practice?
,A. Exclusive focus on acute hospital-based interventions
B. Emphasis on episodic, reactive care delivery
C. Self-management support and delivery system design
D. Limiting patient access to multidisciplinary teams
Answer: C
Rationale: The Chronic Care Model includes self-management support,
delivery system design, decision support, and clinical information
systems. It is integrated into navigation to promote proactive, patient-
centered care for chronic conditions like cancer.
5. In the context of the Quality of Life Model used in oncology
navigation, which of the following domains is explicitly included?
A. Financial well-being only
B. Physical, psychosocial, social well-being, and spiritual
C. Occupational and recreational well-being
D. Genetic and familial well-being
Answer: B
Rationale: The Quality of Life Model explicitly includes Physical,
Psychosocial, Social Wellbeing, and Spiritual domains. These four pillars
guide holistic assessment and intervention by the navigator.
6. According to the Commission on Cancer (CoC) Standard 3.3 (2015-
2019), what is the minimum percentage of patients that must receive
a survivorship care plan?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 25%
, D. 50%
Answer: B
Rationale: CoC Standard 3.3 mandated that at least 10% of eligible
patients must have a survivorship care plan to meet compliance,
although this threshold has evolved in later standards to encourage
broader implementation.
7. A patient who completed breast cancer treatment 18 months ago
reports significant fatigue, cognitive changes, and emotional lability.
The navigator recognizes these as potential late effects. According to
the IOM 2006 recommendations, what document should this patient
have received at the end of active treatment?
A. A genetic testing report
B. A treatment summary and survivorship care plan individualized to
their disease
C. A disability application form
D. A clinical trial enrollment form
Answer: B
Rationale: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2006 report recommended
that every cancer patient receive an individualized Treatment Summary
and Survivorship Care Plan to facilitate coordination between
oncologists and primary care providers and to manage long-term
effects.
8. True/False: Patients without health insurance are less compliant
with medications and treatment adherence.
A. True
