1000 Flashcards Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) Exam
Abdominal distention, vomiting, and absence of bowel movements may indicate bowel
_______.
Obstruction.
The ability of cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues is known as local _______.
Invasion.
Absence of leg pain rules out pulmonary embolism.
False. Many patients with PE do not have obvious symptoms of DVT.
Advance care planning should only occur when death is imminent.
False. ACP should begin early in the disease trajectory and be revisited as health status
changes to ensure care aligns with patient goals.
All diarrhea during immunotherapy is caused by infection.
False. Immune-related colitis must be considered and evaluated appropriately.
All forms of denial are harmful in cancer care.
False. Temporary denial may help patients gradually process difficult information, although
persistent denial can interfere with care.
All genetic mutations lead to cancer.
False. Many mutations are repaired or harmless; cancer develops when critical mutations
accumulate and evade normal cellular controls.
All patients express spirituality through organized religion.
False. Many individuals identify as spiritual without belonging to a formal religious tradition.
All patients with the same cancer type receive identical systemic therapy.
False. Treatment is increasingly individualized based on stage, biomarkers, molecular findings,
comorbidities, and patient preferences.
Anxiety and fatigue are common _______ barriers.
Learning.
1
,1000 Flashcards Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) Exam
Basal cell carcinoma frequently metastasizes.
False. Basal cell carcinoma is locally invasive but rarely metastasizes.
A blood clot that travels to the lungs causes a pulmonary _______.
Embolism.
Bone marrow aspiration evaluates primarily the _______ portion of marrow.
Liquid.
A BRCA mutation carrier requires what screening approach?
Enhanced surveillance and individualized risk-reduction strategies.
Burning and electric-like pain are characteristic of _______ pain.
Neuropathic.
Can ambulatory cancer patients develop VTE?
Yes. Cancer-associated hypercoagulability increases risk regardless of mobility status.
Can a patient with normal temperature still have a serious infection during chemotherapy?
Yes. Immunocompromised patients may not mount a typical fever response despite significant
infection.
A cancer patient develops dyspnea, hypotension, and distended neck veins. Which emergency
should be considered?
Cardiac tamponade.
Can immune-related adverse events occur months after immunotherapy initiation?
Yes. Immune-related toxicities may develop weeks, months, or occasionally even after
treatment discontinuation.
Can spinal cord compression occur without paralysis?
Yes. Early symptoms often include pain and subtle neurologic changes before paralysis
develops.
Chemotherapy affects only cancer cells.
False. Chemotherapy also affects rapidly dividing normal cells, such as bone marrow,
gastrointestinal mucosa, and hair follicles, causing side effects.
2
,1000 Flashcards Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) Exam
Chronic myeloid leukemia is associated with the _______ fusion gene.
BCR-ABL.
Cognitive changes after cancer treatment are always permanent.
False. Many patients improve over time, though some may experience persistent symptoms
requiring supportive interventions.
Complementary therapies should replace evidence-based cancer treatment.
False. Complementary therapies are intended to support conventional treatment, not replace
proven cancer therapies.
Coordinating appointments among specialists helps reduce fragmentation of _______.
Care.
Define acculturation.
Acculturation is the process by which individuals adapt to or adopt aspects of another culture
while maintaining elements of their original cultural identity. This may influence healthcare
beliefs and communication preferences.
Define adherence in oncology care.
The extent to which a patient's behavior aligns with agreed treatment recommendations.
Define adjuvant analgesics.
Medications primarily used for other conditions that provide additional pain relief, especially for
neuropathic pain.
Define advance care planning (ACP).
Advance care planning is an ongoing process in which patients discuss, document, and
communicate their healthcare values, goals, and treatment preferences for future medical
decisions if they become unable to speak for themselves.
Define airway obstruction in oncology.
Partial or complete blockage of the airway caused by tumors, edema, secretions, or treatment-
related complications.
Define anaphylaxis.
A severe, rapid, life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction involving airway, breathing,
and circulatory compromise.
3
, 1000 Flashcards Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) Exam
Define an oncologic emergency.
An oncologic emergency is a life-threatening complication caused by cancer or its treatment
that requires immediate recognition and intervention to prevent severe morbidity or death.
Define anorexia-cachexia syndrome.
A multifactorial syndrome characterized by appetite loss, weight loss, muscle wasting, and
metabolic disturbances.
Define anticipatory anxiety.
Anticipatory anxiety is fear or worry experienced before an event, such as chemotherapy,
scans, procedures, or follow-up appointments, based on expected outcomes or previous
experiences.
Define anxiety.
Excessive worry, fear, or apprehension that may interfere with functioning and treatment
adherence.
Define anxiety.
Excessive worry, fear, or apprehension that may interfere with functioning and treatment
adherence.
Define apheresis.
A procedure that removes specific blood components while returning remaining components to
circulation.
Define apoptosis.
Programmed cell death that eliminates damaged, abnormal, or unnecessary cells.
Define ascites.
Abnormal accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity.
Define beneficence.
The ethical obligation to promote patient well-being and act in the patient's best interests.
Define biomarker.
A measurable biological indicator used for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment selection, or
monitoring.
4
Abdominal distention, vomiting, and absence of bowel movements may indicate bowel
_______.
Obstruction.
The ability of cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues is known as local _______.
Invasion.
Absence of leg pain rules out pulmonary embolism.
False. Many patients with PE do not have obvious symptoms of DVT.
Advance care planning should only occur when death is imminent.
False. ACP should begin early in the disease trajectory and be revisited as health status
changes to ensure care aligns with patient goals.
All diarrhea during immunotherapy is caused by infection.
False. Immune-related colitis must be considered and evaluated appropriately.
All forms of denial are harmful in cancer care.
False. Temporary denial may help patients gradually process difficult information, although
persistent denial can interfere with care.
All genetic mutations lead to cancer.
False. Many mutations are repaired or harmless; cancer develops when critical mutations
accumulate and evade normal cellular controls.
All patients express spirituality through organized religion.
False. Many individuals identify as spiritual without belonging to a formal religious tradition.
All patients with the same cancer type receive identical systemic therapy.
False. Treatment is increasingly individualized based on stage, biomarkers, molecular findings,
comorbidities, and patient preferences.
Anxiety and fatigue are common _______ barriers.
Learning.
1
,1000 Flashcards Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) Exam
Basal cell carcinoma frequently metastasizes.
False. Basal cell carcinoma is locally invasive but rarely metastasizes.
A blood clot that travels to the lungs causes a pulmonary _______.
Embolism.
Bone marrow aspiration evaluates primarily the _______ portion of marrow.
Liquid.
A BRCA mutation carrier requires what screening approach?
Enhanced surveillance and individualized risk-reduction strategies.
Burning and electric-like pain are characteristic of _______ pain.
Neuropathic.
Can ambulatory cancer patients develop VTE?
Yes. Cancer-associated hypercoagulability increases risk regardless of mobility status.
Can a patient with normal temperature still have a serious infection during chemotherapy?
Yes. Immunocompromised patients may not mount a typical fever response despite significant
infection.
A cancer patient develops dyspnea, hypotension, and distended neck veins. Which emergency
should be considered?
Cardiac tamponade.
Can immune-related adverse events occur months after immunotherapy initiation?
Yes. Immune-related toxicities may develop weeks, months, or occasionally even after
treatment discontinuation.
Can spinal cord compression occur without paralysis?
Yes. Early symptoms often include pain and subtle neurologic changes before paralysis
develops.
Chemotherapy affects only cancer cells.
False. Chemotherapy also affects rapidly dividing normal cells, such as bone marrow,
gastrointestinal mucosa, and hair follicles, causing side effects.
2
,1000 Flashcards Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) Exam
Chronic myeloid leukemia is associated with the _______ fusion gene.
BCR-ABL.
Cognitive changes after cancer treatment are always permanent.
False. Many patients improve over time, though some may experience persistent symptoms
requiring supportive interventions.
Complementary therapies should replace evidence-based cancer treatment.
False. Complementary therapies are intended to support conventional treatment, not replace
proven cancer therapies.
Coordinating appointments among specialists helps reduce fragmentation of _______.
Care.
Define acculturation.
Acculturation is the process by which individuals adapt to or adopt aspects of another culture
while maintaining elements of their original cultural identity. This may influence healthcare
beliefs and communication preferences.
Define adherence in oncology care.
The extent to which a patient's behavior aligns with agreed treatment recommendations.
Define adjuvant analgesics.
Medications primarily used for other conditions that provide additional pain relief, especially for
neuropathic pain.
Define advance care planning (ACP).
Advance care planning is an ongoing process in which patients discuss, document, and
communicate their healthcare values, goals, and treatment preferences for future medical
decisions if they become unable to speak for themselves.
Define airway obstruction in oncology.
Partial or complete blockage of the airway caused by tumors, edema, secretions, or treatment-
related complications.
Define anaphylaxis.
A severe, rapid, life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction involving airway, breathing,
and circulatory compromise.
3
, 1000 Flashcards Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) Exam
Define an oncologic emergency.
An oncologic emergency is a life-threatening complication caused by cancer or its treatment
that requires immediate recognition and intervention to prevent severe morbidity or death.
Define anorexia-cachexia syndrome.
A multifactorial syndrome characterized by appetite loss, weight loss, muscle wasting, and
metabolic disturbances.
Define anticipatory anxiety.
Anticipatory anxiety is fear or worry experienced before an event, such as chemotherapy,
scans, procedures, or follow-up appointments, based on expected outcomes or previous
experiences.
Define anxiety.
Excessive worry, fear, or apprehension that may interfere with functioning and treatment
adherence.
Define anxiety.
Excessive worry, fear, or apprehension that may interfere with functioning and treatment
adherence.
Define apheresis.
A procedure that removes specific blood components while returning remaining components to
circulation.
Define apoptosis.
Programmed cell death that eliminates damaged, abnormal, or unnecessary cells.
Define ascites.
Abnormal accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity.
Define beneficence.
The ethical obligation to promote patient well-being and act in the patient's best interests.
Define biomarker.
A measurable biological indicator used for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment selection, or
monitoring.
4
