ONS ONCC Chemotherapy
Renewal Actual Questions and
Verified Answers
1. What is the main benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer
patients?
A) It increases overall survival compared to adjuvant therapy
B) It reduces the need for radiation therapy
C) It only changes the timing of treatment and can allow for breast-conserving
surgery if the tumor shrinks enough
D) It eliminates the need for surgery altogether
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Neoadjuvant therapy primarily alters the timing of treatment,
potentially shrinking the tumor to allow for less invasive surgery, such as
lumpectomy instead of mastectomy. It does not necessarily increase survival
compared to adjuvant therapy but offers surgical options.
2. Which area is not typically included in a comprehensive geriatric assessment
(CGA)?
A) Functional status
B) Socioeconomic issues
C) Cognitive function
D) Genetic testing
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A CGA evaluates functional, psychosocial, medical, nutritional, and
medication-related aspects. Genetic testing is not part of the standard CGA.
,3. According to the NCCN guidelines, what is the age group in which more than
60% of cancers in the US occur, and nearly half of cancer survivors are age 70 or
older?
A) 50 and older
B) 60 and older
C) 65 and older
D) 70 and older
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The guidelines specify that over 60% of cancers occur in those aged
65 and older, and almost half of survivors are aged 70 or older.
4. Why was Mrs. Turner given a port for her chemotherapy treatments?
A) Because she is older and at increased risk of extravasation
B) Because her agents are irritants that can cause reactions if extravasated, and a
port minimizes this risk
C) Because ports are always required for all chemotherapy infusions
D) Because peripheral IV access is not possible in older adults
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Ports are used to reduce the risk of extravasation injuries with
irritant or vesicant agents, regardless of age, especially when extravasation could
cause tissue damage.
5. Which agents are categorized as irritants that can cause inflammation and
pain but rarely cause tissue necrosis?
A) Vesicants
B) Irritants
, C) DNA-binding agents
D) Alkylating agents
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Irritants can cause local inflammation, pain, and burning, but tissue
necrosis is rare unless extravasation involves high concentrations.
6. Which agents are classified as vesicants capable of causing blistering and
tissue necrosis?
A) Docetaxel and carboplatin
B) Doxorubicin and daunorubicin
C) Vincristine and vinblastine
D) Cyclophosphamide and mechlorethamine
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Doxorubicin, daunorubicin, and other anthracyclines are vesicants
that can cause severe tissue damage if extravasated.
7. What is a key difference between DNA-binding and non-DNA-binding agents
in terms of extravasation risk?
A) DNA-binding agents stay localized, reducing tissue damage
B) Non-DNA-binding agents attach to DNA and cause tissue destruction
C) DNA-binding agents cause progressive tissue destruction by attaching to DNA,
whereas non-binding agents tend to remain localized and less damaging
D) Both types cause similar tissue damage
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: DNA-binding agents integrate into DNA, leading to cellular apoptosis
and tissue destruction. Non-DNA-binding solutions usually stay localized and are
less damaging.
Renewal Actual Questions and
Verified Answers
1. What is the main benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer
patients?
A) It increases overall survival compared to adjuvant therapy
B) It reduces the need for radiation therapy
C) It only changes the timing of treatment and can allow for breast-conserving
surgery if the tumor shrinks enough
D) It eliminates the need for surgery altogether
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Neoadjuvant therapy primarily alters the timing of treatment,
potentially shrinking the tumor to allow for less invasive surgery, such as
lumpectomy instead of mastectomy. It does not necessarily increase survival
compared to adjuvant therapy but offers surgical options.
2. Which area is not typically included in a comprehensive geriatric assessment
(CGA)?
A) Functional status
B) Socioeconomic issues
C) Cognitive function
D) Genetic testing
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A CGA evaluates functional, psychosocial, medical, nutritional, and
medication-related aspects. Genetic testing is not part of the standard CGA.
,3. According to the NCCN guidelines, what is the age group in which more than
60% of cancers in the US occur, and nearly half of cancer survivors are age 70 or
older?
A) 50 and older
B) 60 and older
C) 65 and older
D) 70 and older
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The guidelines specify that over 60% of cancers occur in those aged
65 and older, and almost half of survivors are aged 70 or older.
4. Why was Mrs. Turner given a port for her chemotherapy treatments?
A) Because she is older and at increased risk of extravasation
B) Because her agents are irritants that can cause reactions if extravasated, and a
port minimizes this risk
C) Because ports are always required for all chemotherapy infusions
D) Because peripheral IV access is not possible in older adults
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Ports are used to reduce the risk of extravasation injuries with
irritant or vesicant agents, regardless of age, especially when extravasation could
cause tissue damage.
5. Which agents are categorized as irritants that can cause inflammation and
pain but rarely cause tissue necrosis?
A) Vesicants
B) Irritants
, C) DNA-binding agents
D) Alkylating agents
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Irritants can cause local inflammation, pain, and burning, but tissue
necrosis is rare unless extravasation involves high concentrations.
6. Which agents are classified as vesicants capable of causing blistering and
tissue necrosis?
A) Docetaxel and carboplatin
B) Doxorubicin and daunorubicin
C) Vincristine and vinblastine
D) Cyclophosphamide and mechlorethamine
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Doxorubicin, daunorubicin, and other anthracyclines are vesicants
that can cause severe tissue damage if extravasated.
7. What is a key difference between DNA-binding and non-DNA-binding agents
in terms of extravasation risk?
A) DNA-binding agents stay localized, reducing tissue damage
B) Non-DNA-binding agents attach to DNA and cause tissue destruction
C) DNA-binding agents cause progressive tissue destruction by attaching to DNA,
whereas non-binding agents tend to remain localized and less damaging
D) Both types cause similar tissue damage
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: DNA-binding agents integrate into DNA, leading to cellular apoptosis
and tissue destruction. Non-DNA-binding solutions usually stay localized and are
less damaging.
