ONCOLOGY CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTICE
EXAMINATION/ONCOLOGY EXAM — STUDY GUIDE |
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM
REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
Course/Program: OCN — Oncology Certified Nurse
Field of Study: Oncology Nursing, Cancer Care, Chemotherapy, Radiation,
Symptom Management
Level: RN, OCN Certification Examination Preparation
Edition: 2026–2027
Table of Contents
1. Cancer Prevention and Early Detection — Page 4
2. Diagnosis, Staging, and Prognostication — Page 8
3. Chemotherapy and Biotherapy — Page 12
4. Radiation Therapy — Page 16
5. Surgical and Other Treatment Modalities — Page 20
6. Symptom Management — Page 24
7. Oncologic Emergencies — Page 28
8. Survivorship and Late Effects — Page 32
9. Palliative and End-of-Life Care — Page 36
10.Professional Practice and Ethics — Page 40
, 1.
A 45-year-old woman with no personal history of breast cancer asks about
screening recommendations. According to the American Cancer Society, what is
the most appropriate screening approach for an average-risk woman?
A) No mammogram until age 55
B) Annual mammogram from age 45 to 54, with option to begin at 40
C) MRI breast every year starting at age 40
D) Mammogram every 3 years starting at age 40
Correct Answer: B
The American Cancer Society recommends that women aged 40 to 44 have the
option to begin annual mammograms, and women aged 45 to 54 should have
annual mammograms. After age 55, screening may transition to biennial or
continue annually. MRI is reserved for high-risk women, not average-risk
screening.
2.
Which of the following is an acceptable colorectal cancer screening option for an
average-risk adult beginning at age 45?
A) Colonoscopy every 10 years
B) Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years
C) Fecal occult blood test every 5 years
D) CT colonography every 10 years
Correct Answer: A
Colonoscopy every 10 years is an accepted screening method for average-risk
adults starting at age 45. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is recommended every 5 years,
not 10. Fecal occult blood testing should be annual, not every 5 years. CT
colonography is recommended every 5 years.
3.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for which age group as
routine vaccination?
A) 11 to 12 years, with catch-up through age 26
,B) 11 to 12 years only
C) 13 to 18 years only
D) 20 to 30 years only
Correct Answer: A
Routine HPV vaccination is recommended at age 11 to 12 years, with catch-up
vaccination for all persons through age 26. For adults aged 27 to 45 years, shared
clinical decision-making is recommended. Options B, C, and D are incomplete or
incorrect.
4.
Which of the following individuals meets criteria for lung cancer screening with
low-dose CT?
A) 55-year-old with a 30-pack-year history who quit smoking 5 years ago
B) 40-year-old with a 10-pack-year history and no smoking within the past 15
years
C) 50-year-old with a 20-pack-year history and no other risk factors
D) 60-year-old never smoker with a family history of lung cancer
Correct Answer: A
Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT is recommended for adults aged 50 to 80
years with a 20-pack-year or greater smoking history who currently smoke or quit
within the past 15 years. Option A meets these criteria. Options B, C, and D do not
meet age, pack-year, or smoking history criteria.
5.
What is the preferred cervical cancer screening strategy for a 35-year-old woman?
A) Pap test alone every year
B) HPV testing alone every 5 years or Pap plus HPV co-testing every 5 years
C) Colposcopy every 3 years
D) No screening until age 40
Correct Answer: B
For women aged 30 to 65, cervical cancer screening options include primary HPV
testing every 5 years, Pap plus HPV co-testing every 5 years, or Pap alone every 3
, years. Annual Pap tests and colposcopy as screening are not recommended.
Option B reflects current evidence-based guidelines.
6.
A patient with a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer is considering
genetic testing. Which gene mutation is most commonly associated with
hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome?
A) APC
B) BRCA1 or BRCA2
C) MLH1
D) TP53
Correct Answer: B
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome is most commonly caused by
germline mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2. APC is associated with familial
adenomatous polyposis; MLH1 with Lynch syndrome; TP53 with Li-Fraumeni
syndrome. Genetic counseling is essential before testing.
7.
Which of the following is the single most important modifiable risk factor for
cancer prevention?
A) Family history
B) Tobacco use
C) Age
D) Ethnicity
Correct Answer: B
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and is responsible for
approximately 30% of cancer deaths. Family history, age, and ethnicity are
nonmodifiable risk factors. Smoking cessation counseling is a critical nursing
intervention in oncology care.
8.
EXAMINATION/ONCOLOGY EXAM — STUDY GUIDE |
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM
REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
Course/Program: OCN — Oncology Certified Nurse
Field of Study: Oncology Nursing, Cancer Care, Chemotherapy, Radiation,
Symptom Management
Level: RN, OCN Certification Examination Preparation
Edition: 2026–2027
Table of Contents
1. Cancer Prevention and Early Detection — Page 4
2. Diagnosis, Staging, and Prognostication — Page 8
3. Chemotherapy and Biotherapy — Page 12
4. Radiation Therapy — Page 16
5. Surgical and Other Treatment Modalities — Page 20
6. Symptom Management — Page 24
7. Oncologic Emergencies — Page 28
8. Survivorship and Late Effects — Page 32
9. Palliative and End-of-Life Care — Page 36
10.Professional Practice and Ethics — Page 40
, 1.
A 45-year-old woman with no personal history of breast cancer asks about
screening recommendations. According to the American Cancer Society, what is
the most appropriate screening approach for an average-risk woman?
A) No mammogram until age 55
B) Annual mammogram from age 45 to 54, with option to begin at 40
C) MRI breast every year starting at age 40
D) Mammogram every 3 years starting at age 40
Correct Answer: B
The American Cancer Society recommends that women aged 40 to 44 have the
option to begin annual mammograms, and women aged 45 to 54 should have
annual mammograms. After age 55, screening may transition to biennial or
continue annually. MRI is reserved for high-risk women, not average-risk
screening.
2.
Which of the following is an acceptable colorectal cancer screening option for an
average-risk adult beginning at age 45?
A) Colonoscopy every 10 years
B) Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years
C) Fecal occult blood test every 5 years
D) CT colonography every 10 years
Correct Answer: A
Colonoscopy every 10 years is an accepted screening method for average-risk
adults starting at age 45. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is recommended every 5 years,
not 10. Fecal occult blood testing should be annual, not every 5 years. CT
colonography is recommended every 5 years.
3.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for which age group as
routine vaccination?
A) 11 to 12 years, with catch-up through age 26
,B) 11 to 12 years only
C) 13 to 18 years only
D) 20 to 30 years only
Correct Answer: A
Routine HPV vaccination is recommended at age 11 to 12 years, with catch-up
vaccination for all persons through age 26. For adults aged 27 to 45 years, shared
clinical decision-making is recommended. Options B, C, and D are incomplete or
incorrect.
4.
Which of the following individuals meets criteria for lung cancer screening with
low-dose CT?
A) 55-year-old with a 30-pack-year history who quit smoking 5 years ago
B) 40-year-old with a 10-pack-year history and no smoking within the past 15
years
C) 50-year-old with a 20-pack-year history and no other risk factors
D) 60-year-old never smoker with a family history of lung cancer
Correct Answer: A
Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT is recommended for adults aged 50 to 80
years with a 20-pack-year or greater smoking history who currently smoke or quit
within the past 15 years. Option A meets these criteria. Options B, C, and D do not
meet age, pack-year, or smoking history criteria.
5.
What is the preferred cervical cancer screening strategy for a 35-year-old woman?
A) Pap test alone every year
B) HPV testing alone every 5 years or Pap plus HPV co-testing every 5 years
C) Colposcopy every 3 years
D) No screening until age 40
Correct Answer: B
For women aged 30 to 65, cervical cancer screening options include primary HPV
testing every 5 years, Pap plus HPV co-testing every 5 years, or Pap alone every 3
, years. Annual Pap tests and colposcopy as screening are not recommended.
Option B reflects current evidence-based guidelines.
6.
A patient with a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer is considering
genetic testing. Which gene mutation is most commonly associated with
hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome?
A) APC
B) BRCA1 or BRCA2
C) MLH1
D) TP53
Correct Answer: B
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome is most commonly caused by
germline mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2. APC is associated with familial
adenomatous polyposis; MLH1 with Lynch syndrome; TP53 with Li-Fraumeni
syndrome. Genetic counseling is essential before testing.
7.
Which of the following is the single most important modifiable risk factor for
cancer prevention?
A) Family history
B) Tobacco use
C) Age
D) Ethnicity
Correct Answer: B
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer and is responsible for
approximately 30% of cancer deaths. Family history, age, and ethnicity are
nonmodifiable risk factors. Smoking cessation counseling is a critical nursing
intervention in oncology care.
8.
