AONN Clinical Oncology Practice
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A patient receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy reports a temperature
of 38.3°C (100.9°F). Which action should the oncology nurse take
first?
A. Encourage oral fluids and reassess in 2 hours.
B. Administer acetaminophen and monitor the temperature.
C. Notify the oncology provider immediately and initiate evaluation
for neutropenic fever.
D. Advise the patient to remain at home until the next scheduled
appointment.
Answer: C.
Rationale: Fever in a patient receiving myelosuppressive
chemotherapy may indicate a life-threatening infection, particularly
when neutropenia is present or suspected. A temperature of 38.0°C
(100.4°F) or higher is commonly treated as an oncologic emergency
requiring prompt evaluation. Antipyretics should not delay assessment,
cultures, laboratory testing, or empiric antimicrobial therapy when
indicated.
2. Which laboratory finding is most concerning for a patient
receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy?
,A. Hemoglobin of 10.8 g/dL
B. Absolute neutrophil count of 400 cells/mm³
C. Platelet count of 145,000/mm³
D. Sodium of 136 mEq/L
Answer: B.
Rationale: An absolute neutrophil count of 400 cells/mm³ represents
severe neutropenia and substantially increases infection risk. The
oncology nurse should assess the patient for fever, chills, mucosal
infection, respiratory symptoms, urinary symptoms, and other signs of
infection. Mild anemia, a platelet count of 145,000/mm³, and a normal
sodium level are less immediately concerning in this context.
3. A patient receiving radiation therapy to the head and neck develops
painful oral ulcerations. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Use an alcohol-containing mouthwash several times daily.
B. Scrub the oral lesions with a firm toothbrush.
C. Apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the ulcerations.
D. Provide gentle oral care with a soft toothbrush and bland rinses.
Answer: D.
Rationale: Radiation to the head and neck can damage rapidly
dividing oral mucosal cells and cause mucositis. Gentle oral hygiene
helps reduce microbial burden and discomfort without further
traumatizing the mucosa. Bland saline or sodium bicarbonate rinses
may be useful when appropriate. Alcohol-based mouthwashes,
hydrogen peroxide, and vigorous brushing can irritate damaged tissue
and worsen symptoms.
4. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of superior vena
cava syndrome?
,A. Facial and upper-extremity edema with distended neck veins
B. Bilateral lower-extremity edema after prolonged standing
C. Sudden severe right-lower-quadrant abdominal pain
D. Increased bowel sounds with abdominal cramping
Answer: A.
Rationale: Superior vena cava syndrome occurs when blood flow
through the superior vena cava is obstructed, often by a thoracic
malignancy or associated mass. Typical manifestations include facial
or neck swelling, upper-extremity edema, venous distention, dyspnea,
cough, and sometimes headache or neurologic symptoms. It requires
prompt oncology evaluation because airway and cerebral venous
complications can occur.
5. A patient receiving a vesicant through a peripheral intravenous
catheter reports burning at the infusion site. The nurse observes
swelling and erythema. What should the nurse do first?
A. Flush the catheter rapidly with normal saline.
B. Apply pressure over the site and continue the infusion.
C. Stop the infusion while leaving the catheter in place for aspiration
and management.
D. Remove the catheter immediately and massage the affected area.
Answer: C.
Rationale: Burning, pain, swelling, or erythema during vesicant
administration can indicate extravasation. The infusion should be
stopped immediately, but the catheter is generally left in place initially
so residual medication can be aspirated and any indicated antidote
administered. The specific extravasation protocol and drug-specific
management should then be followed.
, 6. Which patient statement demonstrates appropriate understanding
of infection precautions during chemotherapy?
A. “I should avoid all bathing while my white blood cell count is low.”
B. “I can take leftover antibiotics whenever I develop chills.”
C. “I should avoid eating any fruits or vegetables during treatment.”
D. “I should promptly report fever or other signs of infection to my
oncology team.”
Answer: D.
Rationale: Patients receiving systemic cancer therapy should
understand that infection can progress rapidly when immune defenses
are impaired. Prompt reporting of fever, chills, new cough, dysuria,
persistent diarrhea, or other concerning symptoms allows timely
evaluation. Patients should not self-treat with leftover antibiotics, and
unnecessary restrictions on bathing or all fruits and vegetables are not
routinely appropriate.
7. A patient receiving an anthracycline develops new dyspnea,
fatigue, and peripheral edema. Which complication should the
nurse suspect?
A. Cancer therapy–associated cardiomyopathy
B. Acute appendicitis
C. Radiation recall dermatitis
D. Tumor lysis syndrome
Answer: A.
Rationale: Anthracyclines can cause dose-related cardiac injury,
including left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. New dyspnea,
fatigue, orthopnea, peripheral edema, or reduced exercise tolerance
should prompt assessment and communication with the oncology
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy reports a temperature
of 38.3°C (100.9°F). Which action should the oncology nurse take
first?
A. Encourage oral fluids and reassess in 2 hours.
B. Administer acetaminophen and monitor the temperature.
C. Notify the oncology provider immediately and initiate evaluation
for neutropenic fever.
D. Advise the patient to remain at home until the next scheduled
appointment.
Answer: C.
Rationale: Fever in a patient receiving myelosuppressive
chemotherapy may indicate a life-threatening infection, particularly
when neutropenia is present or suspected. A temperature of 38.0°C
(100.4°F) or higher is commonly treated as an oncologic emergency
requiring prompt evaluation. Antipyretics should not delay assessment,
cultures, laboratory testing, or empiric antimicrobial therapy when
indicated.
2. Which laboratory finding is most concerning for a patient
receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy?
,A. Hemoglobin of 10.8 g/dL
B. Absolute neutrophil count of 400 cells/mm³
C. Platelet count of 145,000/mm³
D. Sodium of 136 mEq/L
Answer: B.
Rationale: An absolute neutrophil count of 400 cells/mm³ represents
severe neutropenia and substantially increases infection risk. The
oncology nurse should assess the patient for fever, chills, mucosal
infection, respiratory symptoms, urinary symptoms, and other signs of
infection. Mild anemia, a platelet count of 145,000/mm³, and a normal
sodium level are less immediately concerning in this context.
3. A patient receiving radiation therapy to the head and neck develops
painful oral ulcerations. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Use an alcohol-containing mouthwash several times daily.
B. Scrub the oral lesions with a firm toothbrush.
C. Apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the ulcerations.
D. Provide gentle oral care with a soft toothbrush and bland rinses.
Answer: D.
Rationale: Radiation to the head and neck can damage rapidly
dividing oral mucosal cells and cause mucositis. Gentle oral hygiene
helps reduce microbial burden and discomfort without further
traumatizing the mucosa. Bland saline or sodium bicarbonate rinses
may be useful when appropriate. Alcohol-based mouthwashes,
hydrogen peroxide, and vigorous brushing can irritate damaged tissue
and worsen symptoms.
4. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of superior vena
cava syndrome?
,A. Facial and upper-extremity edema with distended neck veins
B. Bilateral lower-extremity edema after prolonged standing
C. Sudden severe right-lower-quadrant abdominal pain
D. Increased bowel sounds with abdominal cramping
Answer: A.
Rationale: Superior vena cava syndrome occurs when blood flow
through the superior vena cava is obstructed, often by a thoracic
malignancy or associated mass. Typical manifestations include facial
or neck swelling, upper-extremity edema, venous distention, dyspnea,
cough, and sometimes headache or neurologic symptoms. It requires
prompt oncology evaluation because airway and cerebral venous
complications can occur.
5. A patient receiving a vesicant through a peripheral intravenous
catheter reports burning at the infusion site. The nurse observes
swelling and erythema. What should the nurse do first?
A. Flush the catheter rapidly with normal saline.
B. Apply pressure over the site and continue the infusion.
C. Stop the infusion while leaving the catheter in place for aspiration
and management.
D. Remove the catheter immediately and massage the affected area.
Answer: C.
Rationale: Burning, pain, swelling, or erythema during vesicant
administration can indicate extravasation. The infusion should be
stopped immediately, but the catheter is generally left in place initially
so residual medication can be aspirated and any indicated antidote
administered. The specific extravasation protocol and drug-specific
management should then be followed.
, 6. Which patient statement demonstrates appropriate understanding
of infection precautions during chemotherapy?
A. “I should avoid all bathing while my white blood cell count is low.”
B. “I can take leftover antibiotics whenever I develop chills.”
C. “I should avoid eating any fruits or vegetables during treatment.”
D. “I should promptly report fever or other signs of infection to my
oncology team.”
Answer: D.
Rationale: Patients receiving systemic cancer therapy should
understand that infection can progress rapidly when immune defenses
are impaired. Prompt reporting of fever, chills, new cough, dysuria,
persistent diarrhea, or other concerning symptoms allows timely
evaluation. Patients should not self-treat with leftover antibiotics, and
unnecessary restrictions on bathing or all fruits and vegetables are not
routinely appropriate.
7. A patient receiving an anthracycline develops new dyspnea,
fatigue, and peripheral edema. Which complication should the
nurse suspect?
A. Cancer therapy–associated cardiomyopathy
B. Acute appendicitis
C. Radiation recall dermatitis
D. Tumor lysis syndrome
Answer: A.
Rationale: Anthracyclines can cause dose-related cardiac injury,
including left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. New dyspnea,
fatigue, orthopnea, peripheral edema, or reduced exercise tolerance
should prompt assessment and communication with the oncology
