ONS Fundamentals of Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy Administration Comprehensive
Final Review 2026 | High-Yield Study Guide
1. If a patient undergoing chemotherapy reports severe oral pain and is unable
to eat solid foods, what management strategy should be prioritized?
Advise the patient to skip meals to avoid pain.
Provide nutritional supplements and soft foods.
Encourage the patient to eat more solid foods to build strength.
Suggest over-the-counter pain relievers without consulting a doctor.
2. Why is it important for the gown cuff to be positioned over the outer pair of
gloves during chemotherapy administration?
This positioning is irrelevant to safety protocols.
This positioning allows for easier removal of the gown.
This positioning is only a recommendation and not a requirement.
This positioning helps prevent contamination and protects the nurse
from exposure to hazardous substances.
3. How often should gloves be changed during hazardous compounding
twice daily when compounding or unpackaging
only after rips, spills, or accidental exposures
every 30 minutes when compounding
as needed
4. A patient has just received the first dose of imatinib and the nurse on the
oncology unit is amending the patient's care plan accordingly. What nursing
, diagnosis is most appropriate in light of this addition to the patient's drug
regimen?
Risk for Infection related to bone marrow suppression
Risk for Acute Confusion related to adverse neurological effects of
imatinib
Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity related to exaggerated inflammatory
response
Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume related to changes in osmotic pressure
5. Who is authorized to prescribe chemotherapy medications?
Pharmacists
Medical assistants
Nurses
Licensed healthcare providers
6. What is one common treatment-related barrier that may affect a patient's
ability to take oral anticancer medication at home?
Availability of medication at the pharmacy
Support from family members
Access to transportation
Lack of understanding of medication instructions
7. Describe the main difference between how chemotherapy and
immunotherapy approach cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy targets specific cancer markers, while immunotherapy
is non-specific.
, Chemotherapy is only effective against solid tumors, while
immunotherapy works on all types of cancer.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill rapidly dividing cells, while
immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells.
Chemotherapy enhances the immune response, while immunotherapy
directly damages DNA.
8. What is the first action a nurse should take if they suspect a flare reaction
during chemotherapy administration?
Increase the dosage
Stop the infusion
Administer an antihistamine
Continue with the administration
9. In a case where a patient is scheduled for surgery to remove a tumor, what
would be the rationale for starting neoadjuvant therapy?
To reduce the size of the tumor before surgery.
To eliminate the need for surgery altogether.
To enhance the patient's immune response post-surgery.
To prevent infection during the surgery.
10. When treating a patient battling cancer with evidence of mucositis, which
dietary recommendations are key to help manage this side effect?
Snack on crackers between meals if appetite is poor
Swish with lemon water to help improve salivation
Avoid acidic, spicy and salty foods
, Avoid sticky and sugary foods
11. Immunotherapy differs from chemotherapy in that immunotherapy:
Uses antibodies to cross-react with oncogene receptor proteins on
the cell surface.
Seeks to use the patient's own defenses against the tumor cell.
Uses chemical treatments to boost the patient's immune system.
Disables the patient's immune system to increase the efficacy of the
chemotherapy treatment.
12. Immunotherapy in cancer treatment aims to:
Suppress tumor blood vessel formation
Directly kill cancer cells
Enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy
cancer cells
Inhibit DNA replication in cancer cells
13. What is the recommended frequency for changing gloves when handling
hazardous drugs?
Every 2 hours
Every 30 minutes
Every hour
Every 4 hours
14. If a nurse observes a colleague incorrectly applying personal protective
equipment, what should be the nurse's immediate action?
Immunotherapy Administration Comprehensive
Final Review 2026 | High-Yield Study Guide
1. If a patient undergoing chemotherapy reports severe oral pain and is unable
to eat solid foods, what management strategy should be prioritized?
Advise the patient to skip meals to avoid pain.
Provide nutritional supplements and soft foods.
Encourage the patient to eat more solid foods to build strength.
Suggest over-the-counter pain relievers without consulting a doctor.
2. Why is it important for the gown cuff to be positioned over the outer pair of
gloves during chemotherapy administration?
This positioning is irrelevant to safety protocols.
This positioning allows for easier removal of the gown.
This positioning is only a recommendation and not a requirement.
This positioning helps prevent contamination and protects the nurse
from exposure to hazardous substances.
3. How often should gloves be changed during hazardous compounding
twice daily when compounding or unpackaging
only after rips, spills, or accidental exposures
every 30 minutes when compounding
as needed
4. A patient has just received the first dose of imatinib and the nurse on the
oncology unit is amending the patient's care plan accordingly. What nursing
, diagnosis is most appropriate in light of this addition to the patient's drug
regimen?
Risk for Infection related to bone marrow suppression
Risk for Acute Confusion related to adverse neurological effects of
imatinib
Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity related to exaggerated inflammatory
response
Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume related to changes in osmotic pressure
5. Who is authorized to prescribe chemotherapy medications?
Pharmacists
Medical assistants
Nurses
Licensed healthcare providers
6. What is one common treatment-related barrier that may affect a patient's
ability to take oral anticancer medication at home?
Availability of medication at the pharmacy
Support from family members
Access to transportation
Lack of understanding of medication instructions
7. Describe the main difference between how chemotherapy and
immunotherapy approach cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy targets specific cancer markers, while immunotherapy
is non-specific.
, Chemotherapy is only effective against solid tumors, while
immunotherapy works on all types of cancer.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill rapidly dividing cells, while
immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells.
Chemotherapy enhances the immune response, while immunotherapy
directly damages DNA.
8. What is the first action a nurse should take if they suspect a flare reaction
during chemotherapy administration?
Increase the dosage
Stop the infusion
Administer an antihistamine
Continue with the administration
9. In a case where a patient is scheduled for surgery to remove a tumor, what
would be the rationale for starting neoadjuvant therapy?
To reduce the size of the tumor before surgery.
To eliminate the need for surgery altogether.
To enhance the patient's immune response post-surgery.
To prevent infection during the surgery.
10. When treating a patient battling cancer with evidence of mucositis, which
dietary recommendations are key to help manage this side effect?
Snack on crackers between meals if appetite is poor
Swish with lemon water to help improve salivation
Avoid acidic, spicy and salty foods
, Avoid sticky and sugary foods
11. Immunotherapy differs from chemotherapy in that immunotherapy:
Uses antibodies to cross-react with oncogene receptor proteins on
the cell surface.
Seeks to use the patient's own defenses against the tumor cell.
Uses chemical treatments to boost the patient's immune system.
Disables the patient's immune system to increase the efficacy of the
chemotherapy treatment.
12. Immunotherapy in cancer treatment aims to:
Suppress tumor blood vessel formation
Directly kill cancer cells
Enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy
cancer cells
Inhibit DNA replication in cancer cells
13. What is the recommended frequency for changing gloves when handling
hazardous drugs?
Every 2 hours
Every 30 minutes
Every hour
Every 4 hours
14. If a nurse observes a colleague incorrectly applying personal protective
equipment, what should be the nurse's immediate action?
