ONCC Practice Tests (OCN -
Care Continuum) questions and
answers
A 19-year-old patient with testicular cancer who will receive cisplatin and pelvic radiation asks if
he will be able to conceive children. What should the nurse suggest?
Sperm banking prior to beginning treatment
Sexual counseling throughout treatment
Cryopreservation after completing cisplatin treatment
Sildenafil prior to engaging in sexual activity following the completion of treatment - answer
✅✅Sperm banking prior to beginning treatment
Answer: Chemotherapy, especially with cisplatin and alkylating agents can cause permanent
infertility (azoospermia). Sperm banking is recommended prior to the start of treatment if the
patient is interested in future paternity.
Reference: Burke, C.C. (Ed.). (2009). Psychosocial dimensions of oncology nursing care (2nd
ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society, pp. 93-94, 115.
,A 64-year-old African American patient with prostate cancer asks if there is any advice he
should give his grown sons regarding prostate screening. The nurse's best response is to
recommend shared-decision making for:
prostate-specific antigen testing beginning at age 45.
a transrectal ultrasound beginning at age 45.
an ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate beginning at age 45.
prostatic acid phosphatase testing beginning at age 45. - answer ✅✅prostate-specific antigen
testing beginning at age 45.
Answer: The American Cancer Society recommends a shared-decision making conversation
about prostate-specific antigen testing and digital rectal examination beginning at age 45 for
men with a high risk of developing prostate cancer.
Reference: American Cancer Society (2018). Cancer facts and figures. Retrieved from:
https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-
figures-2018.html., p. 22.
A patient expresses a desire to return back to work following treatment, but still reports
significant fatigue. What is the nurse's most appropriate suggestion?
Discussing a flexible work schedule with the employer
Encouraging a delay for an additional year before returning to work
Reflecting on changed roles at home before making a decision
Instructing to avoid discussion of the illness with coworkers - answer ✅✅Discussing a flexible
work schedule with the employer
, Answer: The possibility of reduced work schedules, and support from coworkers are factors that
can facilitate a smoother transition into the workforce following treatment.
Reference: Lester, J.L., & Schmitt, P. (Eds.). (2011). Cancer rehabilitation and survivorship:
Transdisciplinary approaches to personalized care. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society,
p. 252.
A patient receiving docetaxel asks why dexamethasone is prescribed. The nurse's best
response is that it prevents:
fluid retention.
seizures.
fatigue.
anorexia. - answer ✅✅fluid retention.
Answer: Docetaxel is associated with fluid retention and associated alveolar permeability and
pulmonary infiltrates that may be prevented with corticosteroids premedication.
Reference: Polovich, M., Olsen, M., & LeFebvre, K. (Eds.). (2014). Chemotherapy and
biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (4th ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology
Nursing Society, p. 45.
A patient with a permanent colostomy expresses concern about engaging in sexual intercourse.
The nurse first recommends:
tracking bowel habits to best schedule sexual intercourse.
eating immediately before engaging in sexual intercourse.
having further discussions with a therapist prior to having sexual intercourse.
replacing the ostomy appliance just before engaging in sexual intercourse. - answer
✅✅tracking bowel habits to best schedule sexual intercourse.
Care Continuum) questions and
answers
A 19-year-old patient with testicular cancer who will receive cisplatin and pelvic radiation asks if
he will be able to conceive children. What should the nurse suggest?
Sperm banking prior to beginning treatment
Sexual counseling throughout treatment
Cryopreservation after completing cisplatin treatment
Sildenafil prior to engaging in sexual activity following the completion of treatment - answer
✅✅Sperm banking prior to beginning treatment
Answer: Chemotherapy, especially with cisplatin and alkylating agents can cause permanent
infertility (azoospermia). Sperm banking is recommended prior to the start of treatment if the
patient is interested in future paternity.
Reference: Burke, C.C. (Ed.). (2009). Psychosocial dimensions of oncology nursing care (2nd
ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society, pp. 93-94, 115.
,A 64-year-old African American patient with prostate cancer asks if there is any advice he
should give his grown sons regarding prostate screening. The nurse's best response is to
recommend shared-decision making for:
prostate-specific antigen testing beginning at age 45.
a transrectal ultrasound beginning at age 45.
an ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate beginning at age 45.
prostatic acid phosphatase testing beginning at age 45. - answer ✅✅prostate-specific antigen
testing beginning at age 45.
Answer: The American Cancer Society recommends a shared-decision making conversation
about prostate-specific antigen testing and digital rectal examination beginning at age 45 for
men with a high risk of developing prostate cancer.
Reference: American Cancer Society (2018). Cancer facts and figures. Retrieved from:
https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-
figures-2018.html., p. 22.
A patient expresses a desire to return back to work following treatment, but still reports
significant fatigue. What is the nurse's most appropriate suggestion?
Discussing a flexible work schedule with the employer
Encouraging a delay for an additional year before returning to work
Reflecting on changed roles at home before making a decision
Instructing to avoid discussion of the illness with coworkers - answer ✅✅Discussing a flexible
work schedule with the employer
, Answer: The possibility of reduced work schedules, and support from coworkers are factors that
can facilitate a smoother transition into the workforce following treatment.
Reference: Lester, J.L., & Schmitt, P. (Eds.). (2011). Cancer rehabilitation and survivorship:
Transdisciplinary approaches to personalized care. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society,
p. 252.
A patient receiving docetaxel asks why dexamethasone is prescribed. The nurse's best
response is that it prevents:
fluid retention.
seizures.
fatigue.
anorexia. - answer ✅✅fluid retention.
Answer: Docetaxel is associated with fluid retention and associated alveolar permeability and
pulmonary infiltrates that may be prevented with corticosteroids premedication.
Reference: Polovich, M., Olsen, M., & LeFebvre, K. (Eds.). (2014). Chemotherapy and
biotherapy guidelines and recommendations for practice (4th ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology
Nursing Society, p. 45.
A patient with a permanent colostomy expresses concern about engaging in sexual intercourse.
The nurse first recommends:
tracking bowel habits to best schedule sexual intercourse.
eating immediately before engaging in sexual intercourse.
having further discussions with a therapist prior to having sexual intercourse.
replacing the ostomy appliance just before engaging in sexual intercourse. - answer
✅✅tracking bowel habits to best schedule sexual intercourse.
