AONN Cancer Treatment and Supportive
Care Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
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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
navigator prioritize?
A. Encourage oral fluids and reassess in 4 hours
B. Advise the patient to take acetaminophen and rest
C. Schedule an appointment for the next clinic day
D. Instruct the patient to seek immediate medical evaluation for
possible febrile neutropenia
Answer: D. Immediate medical evaluation for possible febrile
neutropenia
Rationale: Fever during a period of chemotherapy-induced
neutropenia can indicate a potentially life-threatening infection. A
temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher warrants prompt evaluation
according to commonly used oncology protocols. Antipyretics should
not delay assessment.
2. Which laboratory value is most directly associated with a patient's
risk for infection during myelosuppressive chemotherapy?
A. Absolute neutrophil count
B. Serum sodium
,C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Serum albumin
Answer: A. Absolute neutrophil count
Rationale: The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is an important
indicator of infection risk in patients receiving myelosuppressive
therapy. The degree and duration of neutropenia help determine the
patient's vulnerability to bacterial and fungal infections and influence
treatment decisions.
3. A patient receiving chemotherapy develops oral mucositis. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Use an alcohol-containing mouthwash frequently
B. Encourage gentle oral hygiene with a soft toothbrush and bland
rinses
C. Brush vigorously after every meal
D. Apply undiluted hydrogen peroxide to oral ulcers
Answer: B. Gentle oral hygiene with a soft toothbrush and bland
rinses
Rationale: Gentle oral care helps reduce microbial burden and
maintain mucosal integrity without causing additional trauma. Bland
saline or sodium bicarbonate-based rinses are commonly used.
Alcohol-containing products, undiluted peroxide, and vigorous
brushing can irritate damaged mucosa.
4. Which finding is most characteristic of chemotherapy-induced
thrombocytopenia?
A. Productive cough
B. Severe hypertension
,C. Petechiae and easy bruising
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Petechiae and easy bruising
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia results from a reduced platelet count
and increases the risk of bleeding. Patients may develop petechiae,
ecchymoses, bleeding gums, epistaxis, or prolonged bleeding. Nurses
should reinforce bleeding precautions and report significant bleeding
promptly.
5. A patient receiving an anthracycline asks why cardiac function is
monitored during treatment. What is the best explanation?
A. Anthracyclines commonly cause severe bradycardia
B. Cardiac monitoring prevents chemotherapy-induced hypertension
C. Cardiac testing is required only because chemotherapy causes anemia
D. Some anthracyclines can cause cumulative cardiac injury and
reduced cardiac function
Answer: D. Some anthracyclines can cause cumulative cardiac
injury and reduced cardiac function
Rationale: Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin can cause dose-related
cardiotoxicity. Baseline and follow-up assessment of cardiac function
may be incorporated into treatment planning, particularly for patients
receiving potentially cardiotoxic cumulative doses or with relevant
cardiovascular risk factors.
6. Which symptom should prompt evaluation for chemotherapy-
induced peripheral neuropathy?
A. Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
B. Increased thirst only
, C. Mild rhinorrhea
D. Temporary hair thinning
Answer: A. Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
Rationale: Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness, tingling,
burning, altered sensation, or weakness, particularly in the hands and
feet. Agents such as taxanes, platinum compounds, and vinca alkaloids
can cause neuropathy. Early recognition can allow symptom
management and consideration of treatment modification.
7. What is the primary purpose of antiemetic therapy during highly
emetogenic chemotherapy?
A. Prevent neutropenia
B. Prevent or reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
C. Increase platelet production
D. Prevent alopecia
Answer: B. Prevent or reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and
vomiting
Rationale: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) can
substantially affect nutrition, hydration, treatment adherence, and
quality of life. Preventive antiemetic regimens are selected according
to the emetogenic risk of the treatment and patient-specific factors.
8. A patient receiving immunotherapy reports new-onset diarrhea
occurring several times daily. What should the oncology nurse
navigator recognize?
A. Diarrhea is always unrelated to cancer therapy
B. The patient should automatically stop every medication
C. Immune-mediated colitis is a possible treatment-related
Care Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
1. A patient receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy reports a temperature
of 38.3°C (100.9°F). Which action should the oncology nurse
navigator prioritize?
A. Encourage oral fluids and reassess in 4 hours
B. Advise the patient to take acetaminophen and rest
C. Schedule an appointment for the next clinic day
D. Instruct the patient to seek immediate medical evaluation for
possible febrile neutropenia
Answer: D. Immediate medical evaluation for possible febrile
neutropenia
Rationale: Fever during a period of chemotherapy-induced
neutropenia can indicate a potentially life-threatening infection. A
temperature of 38.0°C (100.4°F) or higher warrants prompt evaluation
according to commonly used oncology protocols. Antipyretics should
not delay assessment.
2. Which laboratory value is most directly associated with a patient's
risk for infection during myelosuppressive chemotherapy?
A. Absolute neutrophil count
B. Serum sodium
,C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Serum albumin
Answer: A. Absolute neutrophil count
Rationale: The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is an important
indicator of infection risk in patients receiving myelosuppressive
therapy. The degree and duration of neutropenia help determine the
patient's vulnerability to bacterial and fungal infections and influence
treatment decisions.
3. A patient receiving chemotherapy develops oral mucositis. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Use an alcohol-containing mouthwash frequently
B. Encourage gentle oral hygiene with a soft toothbrush and bland
rinses
C. Brush vigorously after every meal
D. Apply undiluted hydrogen peroxide to oral ulcers
Answer: B. Gentle oral hygiene with a soft toothbrush and bland
rinses
Rationale: Gentle oral care helps reduce microbial burden and
maintain mucosal integrity without causing additional trauma. Bland
saline or sodium bicarbonate-based rinses are commonly used.
Alcohol-containing products, undiluted peroxide, and vigorous
brushing can irritate damaged mucosa.
4. Which finding is most characteristic of chemotherapy-induced
thrombocytopenia?
A. Productive cough
B. Severe hypertension
,C. Petechiae and easy bruising
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Petechiae and easy bruising
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia results from a reduced platelet count
and increases the risk of bleeding. Patients may develop petechiae,
ecchymoses, bleeding gums, epistaxis, or prolonged bleeding. Nurses
should reinforce bleeding precautions and report significant bleeding
promptly.
5. A patient receiving an anthracycline asks why cardiac function is
monitored during treatment. What is the best explanation?
A. Anthracyclines commonly cause severe bradycardia
B. Cardiac monitoring prevents chemotherapy-induced hypertension
C. Cardiac testing is required only because chemotherapy causes anemia
D. Some anthracyclines can cause cumulative cardiac injury and
reduced cardiac function
Answer: D. Some anthracyclines can cause cumulative cardiac
injury and reduced cardiac function
Rationale: Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin can cause dose-related
cardiotoxicity. Baseline and follow-up assessment of cardiac function
may be incorporated into treatment planning, particularly for patients
receiving potentially cardiotoxic cumulative doses or with relevant
cardiovascular risk factors.
6. Which symptom should prompt evaluation for chemotherapy-
induced peripheral neuropathy?
A. Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
B. Increased thirst only
, C. Mild rhinorrhea
D. Temporary hair thinning
Answer: A. Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
Rationale: Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness, tingling,
burning, altered sensation, or weakness, particularly in the hands and
feet. Agents such as taxanes, platinum compounds, and vinca alkaloids
can cause neuropathy. Early recognition can allow symptom
management and consideration of treatment modification.
7. What is the primary purpose of antiemetic therapy during highly
emetogenic chemotherapy?
A. Prevent neutropenia
B. Prevent or reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
C. Increase platelet production
D. Prevent alopecia
Answer: B. Prevent or reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and
vomiting
Rationale: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) can
substantially affect nutrition, hydration, treatment adherence, and
quality of life. Preventive antiemetic regimens are selected according
to the emetogenic risk of the treatment and patient-specific factors.
8. A patient receiving immunotherapy reports new-onset diarrhea
occurring several times daily. What should the oncology nurse
navigator recognize?
A. Diarrhea is always unrelated to cancer therapy
B. The patient should automatically stop every medication
C. Immune-mediated colitis is a possible treatment-related
