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NURS 265 ONCOLOGY EXAM 2026 COMPLETE (100)
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
ONCOLOGY
Prepare with confidence using this NURS 265 Oncology Exam, designed to
assess foundational knowledge in cancer nursing care. It focuses on cancer
biology, treatment modalities, symptom management, chemotherapy,
radiation therapy, and patient support. The exam strengthens clinical
reasoning and holistic care approaches for oncology patients. Suitable for
nursing students preparing for exams and clinical practice.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Subsection 1: Cancer Biology & Pathophysiology (Questions 1–15)
1. What is the defining characteristic of a malignant tumor
compared to a benign tumor?
A. Slow growth rate
B. Well-defined capsule
C. Invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis
D. Lack of mitosis
Answer: C. Invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis
Explanation: Malignant tumors invade local tissues and can
metastasize to distant sites. Benign tumors are encapsulated, do not
invade, and do not metastasize.
2. Which gene mutation promotes cell proliferation and acts in a
dominant manner?
A. Tumor suppressor gene
B. Oncogene
C. DNA repair gene
D. Apoptosis gene
Answer: B. Oncogene
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Explanation: Oncogenes are mutated forms of proto-oncogenes that
drive uncontrolled cell growth. Tumor suppressor genes (e.g., p53,
BRCA) are recessive and require both alleles inactivated.
3. A patient has a mutation in the TP53 gene. What is the primary
function of this tumor suppressor gene?
A. DNA repair
B. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to DNA damage
C. Angiogenesis promotion
D. Metastasis suppression
Answer: B. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to DNA
damage
Explanation: p53 is the "guardian of the genome." It halts cell division
to allow DNA repair or triggers apoptosis if damage is irreparable.
Mutations are common in many cancers.
4. Which of the following is an example of a chemical carcinogen?
A. Ultraviolet radiation
B. Human papillomavirus
C. Asbestos
D. Benzene
Answer: D. Benzene
Explanation: Benzene is a chemical carcinogen linked to leukemia. UV
radiation is physical; HPV is biologic; asbestos is a mineral fiber
(physical/chemical mechanism).
5. A 60-year-old smoker develops lung cancer. The cancer cells
show high levels of telomerase activity. What is the significance of
telomerase in cancer?
A. It prevents apoptosis
B. It allows unlimited cell division by maintaining telomere length
C. It promotes angiogenesis
D. It inactivates p53
Answer: B. It allows unlimited cell division by maintaining
telomere length
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Explanation: Normal cells have limited divisions due to telomere
shortening. Telomerase extends telomeres, conferring immortality to
cancer cells.
6. Which stage of carcinogenesis involves the irreversible genetic
alteration that initiates cancer formation?
A. Promotion
B. Progression
C. Initiation
D. Metastasis
Answer: C. Initiation
Explanation: Initiation is the first step: a DNA mutation caused by a
carcinogen. Promotion involves proliferation of initiated cells.
Progression is further genetic changes leading to malignancy.
7. A patient with colon cancer has a mutation in the APC gene. This
gene is classified as a:
A. Proto-oncogene
B. Tumor suppressor gene
C. DNA repair gene
D. Oncogene
Answer: B. Tumor suppressor gene
Explanation: APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) is a tumor suppressor.
Loss of function leads to familial adenomatous polyposis and colorectal
cancer.
8. What is the process by which cancer cells spread through blood
or lymphatic vessels?
A. Invasion
B. Metastasis
C. Angiogenesis
D. Differentiation
Answer: B. Metastasis
Explanation: Metastasis is the spread of cancer from primary site to
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distant organs via blood (hematogenous) or lymphatics
(lymphogenous). Invasion is local spread.
9. Which of the following is a biologic carcinogen?
A. Ionizing radiation
B. Aflatoxin
C. Hepatitis B virus
D. Arsenic
Answer: C. Hepatitis B virus
Explanation: HBV is a biologic carcinogen (virus) associated with
hepatocellular carcinoma. Aflatoxin is chemical; radiation is physical.
10. A tumor has poorly differentiated cells that do not resemble the
tissue of origin. This tumor would be described as:
A. Grade 1 (low grade)
B. Grade 2 (moderate)
C. Grade 3 (high grade)
D. Benign
Answer: C. Grade 3 (high grade)
Explanation: High-grade (poorly differentiated) tumors have cells
that look very different from normal tissue. Low-grade tumors resemble
normal tissue. Grade correlates with aggressiveness.
11. What is the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in
cancer?
A. Suppresses tumor growth
B. Promotes apoptosis
C. Stimulates formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)
D. Activates p53
Answer: C. Stimulates formation of new blood vessels
(angiogenesis)
Explanation: VEGF is a key pro-angiogenic factor. Tumors must induce
angiogenesis to grow beyond 1–2 mm³. Anti-VEGF therapies
(bevacizumab) are used in some cancers.
NURS 265 ONCOLOGY EXAM 2026 COMPLETE (100)
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
ONCOLOGY
Prepare with confidence using this NURS 265 Oncology Exam, designed to
assess foundational knowledge in cancer nursing care. It focuses on cancer
biology, treatment modalities, symptom management, chemotherapy,
radiation therapy, and patient support. The exam strengthens clinical
reasoning and holistic care approaches for oncology patients. Suitable for
nursing students preparing for exams and clinical practice.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Subsection 1: Cancer Biology & Pathophysiology (Questions 1–15)
1. What is the defining characteristic of a malignant tumor
compared to a benign tumor?
A. Slow growth rate
B. Well-defined capsule
C. Invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis
D. Lack of mitosis
Answer: C. Invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis
Explanation: Malignant tumors invade local tissues and can
metastasize to distant sites. Benign tumors are encapsulated, do not
invade, and do not metastasize.
2. Which gene mutation promotes cell proliferation and acts in a
dominant manner?
A. Tumor suppressor gene
B. Oncogene
C. DNA repair gene
D. Apoptosis gene
Answer: B. Oncogene
, Page 2 of 37
Explanation: Oncogenes are mutated forms of proto-oncogenes that
drive uncontrolled cell growth. Tumor suppressor genes (e.g., p53,
BRCA) are recessive and require both alleles inactivated.
3. A patient has a mutation in the TP53 gene. What is the primary
function of this tumor suppressor gene?
A. DNA repair
B. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to DNA damage
C. Angiogenesis promotion
D. Metastasis suppression
Answer: B. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to DNA
damage
Explanation: p53 is the "guardian of the genome." It halts cell division
to allow DNA repair or triggers apoptosis if damage is irreparable.
Mutations are common in many cancers.
4. Which of the following is an example of a chemical carcinogen?
A. Ultraviolet radiation
B. Human papillomavirus
C. Asbestos
D. Benzene
Answer: D. Benzene
Explanation: Benzene is a chemical carcinogen linked to leukemia. UV
radiation is physical; HPV is biologic; asbestos is a mineral fiber
(physical/chemical mechanism).
5. A 60-year-old smoker develops lung cancer. The cancer cells
show high levels of telomerase activity. What is the significance of
telomerase in cancer?
A. It prevents apoptosis
B. It allows unlimited cell division by maintaining telomere length
C. It promotes angiogenesis
D. It inactivates p53
Answer: B. It allows unlimited cell division by maintaining
telomere length
, Page 3 of 37
Explanation: Normal cells have limited divisions due to telomere
shortening. Telomerase extends telomeres, conferring immortality to
cancer cells.
6. Which stage of carcinogenesis involves the irreversible genetic
alteration that initiates cancer formation?
A. Promotion
B. Progression
C. Initiation
D. Metastasis
Answer: C. Initiation
Explanation: Initiation is the first step: a DNA mutation caused by a
carcinogen. Promotion involves proliferation of initiated cells.
Progression is further genetic changes leading to malignancy.
7. A patient with colon cancer has a mutation in the APC gene. This
gene is classified as a:
A. Proto-oncogene
B. Tumor suppressor gene
C. DNA repair gene
D. Oncogene
Answer: B. Tumor suppressor gene
Explanation: APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) is a tumor suppressor.
Loss of function leads to familial adenomatous polyposis and colorectal
cancer.
8. What is the process by which cancer cells spread through blood
or lymphatic vessels?
A. Invasion
B. Metastasis
C. Angiogenesis
D. Differentiation
Answer: B. Metastasis
Explanation: Metastasis is the spread of cancer from primary site to
, Page 4 of 37
distant organs via blood (hematogenous) or lymphatics
(lymphogenous). Invasion is local spread.
9. Which of the following is a biologic carcinogen?
A. Ionizing radiation
B. Aflatoxin
C. Hepatitis B virus
D. Arsenic
Answer: C. Hepatitis B virus
Explanation: HBV is a biologic carcinogen (virus) associated with
hepatocellular carcinoma. Aflatoxin is chemical; radiation is physical.
10. A tumor has poorly differentiated cells that do not resemble the
tissue of origin. This tumor would be described as:
A. Grade 1 (low grade)
B. Grade 2 (moderate)
C. Grade 3 (high grade)
D. Benign
Answer: C. Grade 3 (high grade)
Explanation: High-grade (poorly differentiated) tumors have cells
that look very different from normal tissue. Low-grade tumors resemble
normal tissue. Grade correlates with aggressiveness.
11. What is the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in
cancer?
A. Suppresses tumor growth
B. Promotes apoptosis
C. Stimulates formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)
D. Activates p53
Answer: C. Stimulates formation of new blood vessels
(angiogenesis)
Explanation: VEGF is a key pro-angiogenic factor. Tumors must induce
angiogenesis to grow beyond 1–2 mm³. Anti-VEGF therapies
(bevacizumab) are used in some cancers.
