OCN ONS EXAM |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
What is the primary purpose for providing interprofessional oncology care?
a. delivering cost-effective services
b. standardizing patient communication
c. improving patient outcomes
d. meeting regulatory standards
CORRECT ANSWER
c. improving patient outcomes
Quality of practice includes the oncology nurse participating in interprofessional teams
to address outcomes and enhance factors that promote safe and effective patient
outcomes.
Question 2
What is the shortest phase of the cell cycle?
a. synthesis
b. gap 2
c. mitosis
d. gap 1
CORRECT ANSWER
c. mitosis
Mitosis is the shortest phase of the cell's life cycle.
1
,Question 3
A patient with cancer states "What is the point of living if I have cancer? I am going to die
anyway. I should just sit at home." Which of the following statements made by the nurse
offers the most therapeutic approach?
a. "let's explore some ways you can engage and enjoy life"
b. "a pessimistic attitude puts you at risk for depression. Are you depressed?"
c. "You sound anxious. Make sure to discuss this with your physician"
d. "I will refer you to the social worker to talk through your thoughts"
CORRECT ANSWER
A. "let's explore some ways you can engage and enjoy life"
A patient experiencing helplessness and possibly depression may benefit from gently
reframing negative thinking patterns.
Question 4
A patient with intractable dyspnea at the end of life has not experienced any relief with
traditional interventions. Which of the following should the nurse next consider?
a. informing the patient that there is nothing left to give them
b. calling anesthesia to intubate the patient
c. asking the treating physician to increase the doses of all the patient's medications
d. discussing the initiating of palliative sedation with the interprofessional team
CORRECT ANSWER
d. discussing the initiating of palliative sedation with the interprofessional team
When therapies such as IV opioids, oxygen, diuretics, and benzodiazepines fail to
improve intractable dyspnea, palliative sedation could be considered in end-of-life care
Question 5
2
,Which of the following best represents the psychological component of a comprehensive
pain assessment?
a. the aggravating factors of the experienced pain
b. the meaning of pain to the patient and family
the influence of religion on coping with pain
d. the economic impact of the pain and its treatment
CORRECT ANSWER
b. the meaning of pain to the patient and family
The meaning of pain to the patient and family is an example of the psychosocial
component of the comprehensive pain assessment.
Question 6
A cancer education program for adults with low-literacy levels should include which of the
following?
a. frequent use of scored quizzes on new material
b. cartoon-type illustrations to explain concepts
c. multiple forms of the same message and repetition
d. medical terms so people become familiar with these words
CORRECT ANSWER
c. multiple forms of the same mesage and repetition
Repetition of concepts and using multiple ways to convey a message is recommended,
including the use of pictures and demonstrations.
Question 7
One week after receiving chemotherapy, a patient is afebrile with generalized oral
erythema, xerostomia, white patches on the soft palate, and a lump-like sensation with
swallowing. Which of the following orders should the nurse anticipate?
3
, a. allopurinol mouthwash
b. amoxicillin
c. panendoscopy
d. fluconazole
CORRECT ANSWER
d. fluconazole
Oral candida presents with redness and a "cottage cheese" appearance. Antifungal
medications are used to treat oral candidiasis.
Question 8
Hormone therapy is effective for which two types of cancer?
a. breast and prostate
b. liver and chronic myeloid leukemia
c. lymphoma and gallbladder
d. sarcoma and small cell lung
CORRECT ANSWER
a. breast and prostate
Hormone therapy has been successfully used to treat breast and prostate cancers.
Question 9
Which of the following is the best intervention to increase a patient's adherence to taking
oral chemotherapy at home?
a. instructing the patient to double the next dose if a dose is missed
b. having the patient pick up a refill at the next appointment if the supply runs out
c. calling the patient periodically to monitor for side effects and ask questions.
d. telling the patient to take over-the-counter medications as needed for nausea
4
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
What is the primary purpose for providing interprofessional oncology care?
a. delivering cost-effective services
b. standardizing patient communication
c. improving patient outcomes
d. meeting regulatory standards
CORRECT ANSWER
c. improving patient outcomes
Quality of practice includes the oncology nurse participating in interprofessional teams
to address outcomes and enhance factors that promote safe and effective patient
outcomes.
Question 2
What is the shortest phase of the cell cycle?
a. synthesis
b. gap 2
c. mitosis
d. gap 1
CORRECT ANSWER
c. mitosis
Mitosis is the shortest phase of the cell's life cycle.
1
,Question 3
A patient with cancer states "What is the point of living if I have cancer? I am going to die
anyway. I should just sit at home." Which of the following statements made by the nurse
offers the most therapeutic approach?
a. "let's explore some ways you can engage and enjoy life"
b. "a pessimistic attitude puts you at risk for depression. Are you depressed?"
c. "You sound anxious. Make sure to discuss this with your physician"
d. "I will refer you to the social worker to talk through your thoughts"
CORRECT ANSWER
A. "let's explore some ways you can engage and enjoy life"
A patient experiencing helplessness and possibly depression may benefit from gently
reframing negative thinking patterns.
Question 4
A patient with intractable dyspnea at the end of life has not experienced any relief with
traditional interventions. Which of the following should the nurse next consider?
a. informing the patient that there is nothing left to give them
b. calling anesthesia to intubate the patient
c. asking the treating physician to increase the doses of all the patient's medications
d. discussing the initiating of palliative sedation with the interprofessional team
CORRECT ANSWER
d. discussing the initiating of palliative sedation with the interprofessional team
When therapies such as IV opioids, oxygen, diuretics, and benzodiazepines fail to
improve intractable dyspnea, palliative sedation could be considered in end-of-life care
Question 5
2
,Which of the following best represents the psychological component of a comprehensive
pain assessment?
a. the aggravating factors of the experienced pain
b. the meaning of pain to the patient and family
the influence of religion on coping with pain
d. the economic impact of the pain and its treatment
CORRECT ANSWER
b. the meaning of pain to the patient and family
The meaning of pain to the patient and family is an example of the psychosocial
component of the comprehensive pain assessment.
Question 6
A cancer education program for adults with low-literacy levels should include which of the
following?
a. frequent use of scored quizzes on new material
b. cartoon-type illustrations to explain concepts
c. multiple forms of the same message and repetition
d. medical terms so people become familiar with these words
CORRECT ANSWER
c. multiple forms of the same mesage and repetition
Repetition of concepts and using multiple ways to convey a message is recommended,
including the use of pictures and demonstrations.
Question 7
One week after receiving chemotherapy, a patient is afebrile with generalized oral
erythema, xerostomia, white patches on the soft palate, and a lump-like sensation with
swallowing. Which of the following orders should the nurse anticipate?
3
, a. allopurinol mouthwash
b. amoxicillin
c. panendoscopy
d. fluconazole
CORRECT ANSWER
d. fluconazole
Oral candida presents with redness and a "cottage cheese" appearance. Antifungal
medications are used to treat oral candidiasis.
Question 8
Hormone therapy is effective for which two types of cancer?
a. breast and prostate
b. liver and chronic myeloid leukemia
c. lymphoma and gallbladder
d. sarcoma and small cell lung
CORRECT ANSWER
a. breast and prostate
Hormone therapy has been successfully used to treat breast and prostate cancers.
Question 9
Which of the following is the best intervention to increase a patient's adherence to taking
oral chemotherapy at home?
a. instructing the patient to double the next dose if a dose is missed
b. having the patient pick up a refill at the next appointment if the supply runs out
c. calling the patient periodically to monitor for side effects and ask questions.
d. telling the patient to take over-the-counter medications as needed for nausea
4
