2024 ONCC OCN - ONCOLOGIC
EMERGENCIES PRACTICE TESTS
EXAM WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Which of the following medications must be available at the bedside when
preparing to administer asparaginase?
Epinephrine
Albuterol
Dopamine
Sodium thiosulfate - CORRECT-ANSWERSEpinephrine
Answer: Epinephrine is the first line drug used to treat severe
hypersensitivity reactions.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer
nursing: Principles and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett,
p. 916.
A patient with lung cancer has the following laboratory results: urine sodium
92mEq/L, serum osmolality 180 mOsm/kg, and serum sodium 130mEq/L.
Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
Systemic inflammatory response
Increased intracranial pressure
Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura - CORRECT-ANSWERSSyndrome of
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
Answer: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone is an oncologic
emergency that occurs most often in patients with lung cancer. Patients will
have hyponatremia with increased urinary sodium, and decreased serum
osmolality.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer
nursing: Principles and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett,
pp. 1201 - 1202.
, A patient with an astrocytoma reports headaches, a loss of balance, fatigue,
and elevated blood pressure for four days and has not refilled a prescription
for high-dose steriods. What is the patient most likely experiencing?
Increased intracranial pressure
Withdrawal
Hypertensive crisis
Subdural hematoma - CORRECT-ANSWERSIncreased intracranial pressure
Answer: Drowsiness, fatigue, headache, and changes in blood pressure are
symptoms of worsening increased intracranial pressure. Corticosteroids are
used to decrease surrounding edema from the tumor.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer
nursing: Principles and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett,
p. 1173.
A patient had experienced a mild hypersensitivity reaction to the first dose of
paclitaxel and now arrives for the second treatment. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse perform?
Slow the infusion rate of the medication.
Dilute the medication in additional fluid.
Administer prophylactic meperidine.
Hold the medication. - CORRECT-ANSWERSSlow the infusion rate of the
medication.
Answer: Many patients who have experienced only mild infusion reactions
with the first administration of paclitaxel have tolerated subsequent doses
well with a decreased rate of infusion and additional premedications.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer
nursing: Principles and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett,
p. 915.
A patient with cancer receiving the 10th dose of carboplatin suddenly
becomes anxious and states, "I cannot breathe." What should the nurse do
first?
Stop the infusion and stay with the patient.
Start a second IV and give diphenhydramine 50 mg IV push.
Take the patient's vital signs and call the physician.
Administer oxygen and institute emergency procedures. - CORRECT-
ANSWERSStop the infusion and stay with the patient.
EMERGENCIES PRACTICE TESTS
EXAM WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Which of the following medications must be available at the bedside when
preparing to administer asparaginase?
Epinephrine
Albuterol
Dopamine
Sodium thiosulfate - CORRECT-ANSWERSEpinephrine
Answer: Epinephrine is the first line drug used to treat severe
hypersensitivity reactions.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer
nursing: Principles and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett,
p. 916.
A patient with lung cancer has the following laboratory results: urine sodium
92mEq/L, serum osmolality 180 mOsm/kg, and serum sodium 130mEq/L.
Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
Systemic inflammatory response
Increased intracranial pressure
Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura - CORRECT-ANSWERSSyndrome of
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
Answer: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone is an oncologic
emergency that occurs most often in patients with lung cancer. Patients will
have hyponatremia with increased urinary sodium, and decreased serum
osmolality.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer
nursing: Principles and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett,
pp. 1201 - 1202.
, A patient with an astrocytoma reports headaches, a loss of balance, fatigue,
and elevated blood pressure for four days and has not refilled a prescription
for high-dose steriods. What is the patient most likely experiencing?
Increased intracranial pressure
Withdrawal
Hypertensive crisis
Subdural hematoma - CORRECT-ANSWERSIncreased intracranial pressure
Answer: Drowsiness, fatigue, headache, and changes in blood pressure are
symptoms of worsening increased intracranial pressure. Corticosteroids are
used to decrease surrounding edema from the tumor.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer
nursing: Principles and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett,
p. 1173.
A patient had experienced a mild hypersensitivity reaction to the first dose of
paclitaxel and now arrives for the second treatment. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse perform?
Slow the infusion rate of the medication.
Dilute the medication in additional fluid.
Administer prophylactic meperidine.
Hold the medication. - CORRECT-ANSWERSSlow the infusion rate of the
medication.
Answer: Many patients who have experienced only mild infusion reactions
with the first administration of paclitaxel have tolerated subsequent doses
well with a decreased rate of infusion and additional premedications.
Reference: Yarbro, C.H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B.H. (Eds.). (2018). Cancer
nursing: Principles and practice (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett,
p. 915.
A patient with cancer receiving the 10th dose of carboplatin suddenly
becomes anxious and states, "I cannot breathe." What should the nurse do
first?
Stop the infusion and stay with the patient.
Start a second IV and give diphenhydramine 50 mg IV push.
Take the patient's vital signs and call the physician.
Administer oxygen and institute emergency procedures. - CORRECT-
ANSWERSStop the infusion and stay with the patient.
