NCLEX Questions for Oncologic Disorders

by: Daisy Jane, RN

Test Questions for Oncologic Disorders
1.    A 25 year old patient is inquiring about the methods or ways to detect cancer earlier. The nurse least likely identify this method by stating:
a.    Annual chest x-ray.
b.    Annual Pap smear for sexually active women only.
c.    Annual digital rectal examination for persons over age 40.
d.    Yearly physical and blood examination

2.    The removal of entire breast, pectoralis major and minor muscles and neck lymph nodes which is followed by skin grafting is a procedure called:
a.    Simple mastectomy
b.    Modified radical mastectomy
c.    Radiation therapy
d.    Radical mastectomy

3.    Chemotherapy is one of the therapeutic modalities for cancer. This treatment is contraindicated to which of the following conditions?
a.    Recent surgery
b.    Pregnancy
c.    Bone marrow depression
d.    All of the above

4.    The nurse is preparing Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Safe handling of the drug should be implemented to protect the nurse from injury. Which of the following action by the nurse should be corrected?
a.    The nurse should wear mask and gloves.
b.    Air bubbles should be expelled on wet cotton.
c.    Label the hanging IV bottle with ANTINEOPLASTIC CHEMOTHERAPY sign.
d.    Vent vials after mixing.

5.    Neoplasm can be classified as either benign or malignant. The following are characteristics of malignant tumor apart from:
a.    Metastasis
b.    Infiltrates surrounding tissues
c.    Encapsulated
d.    Poorly differentiated cells

6.    On a clinic visit a client who has a relative with cancer, is asking about the warning signs that may relate to cancer. The nurse correctly identifies the warning signs of cancer by responding:
a.    “If a sore healing took a month or more to heal, cancer should be suspected.”
b.    “Presence of dry cough is one of the warning signs of cancer.”
c.    “A lump located only in the breast area may suggest the presence of cancer.”
d.    “Sudden weight loss of unexplained etiology can be a warning sign of cancer.”

7.    In staging and grading neoplasm TNM system is used. TNM stands for:
a.    Time, neoplasm, mode of growth
b.    Tumor, node, metastasis
c.    Tumor, neoplasm, mode of growth
d.    Time, node, metastasis

8.    Breast self examination (BSE) is one of the ways to detect breast cancer earlier. The nurse is conducting a health teaching to female clients in a clinic. During evaluation the clients are asked to state what they learned. Which of the following statement made by a client needs further teaching about BSE?
a.    “BSE is done after menstruation.”
b.    “BSE palpation is done by starting at the center going to the periphery in a circular motion.”
c.     “BSE can be done in either supine or standing position.”
d.    “BSE should start from age 20.”

9.    A client had undergone radiation therapy (external). The expected side effects include the following apart from:
a.    Hair loss
b.    Ulceration of oral mucous membranes
c.    Constipation
d.    Headache

10.    Nurse Janet is assigned in the oncology section of the hospital. Which of the following orders should the nurse question if a client is on radiation therapy?
a.    Analgesics before meals
b.    Saline rinses every 2 hours
c.    Aspirin every 4 hours
d.    Bland diet

11.    Skin reactions are common in radiation therapy. Nursing responsibilities on promoting skin integrity should be promoted apart from:
a.    Avoiding the use of  ointments, powders and lotion to the area
b.    Using soft cotton fabrics for clothing
c.    Washing the area with a mild soap and water and patting it dry not rubbing it.
d.    Avoiding direct sunshine or cold.

12.    Nausea and vomiting is an expected side effect of chemotherapeutic drug use. Which of the following drug should be administered to a client on chemotherapy to prevent nausea and vomiting?
a.    Metochlopramide (Metozol)
b.    Succimer (Chemet)
c.    Anastrazole (Arimidex)
d.    Busulfan (Myleran)

13.    Radiation protection is very important to implement when performing nursing procedures. When the nurse is not performing any nursing procedures what distance should be maintained from the client?
a.    1 feet
b.    2 feet
c.    2.5 feet
d.    3 feet

14.    The following are teaching guidelines regarding radiation therapy except:
a.    The therapy is painless
b.    To promote safety, the client is assisted by therapy personnel while the machine is in operation.
c.    The client may communicate all his concerns or needs or discomforts while the machine is operating.
d.    Safety precautions are necessary only during the time of actual irradiation.

15.    Contact of client on radiation therapy should be limited only to how many minutes to promote safety of the therapy personnel?
a.    1 minute
b.    3 minutes
c.    5 minutes
d.    10 minutes

16.    A client is taking Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) for the treatment of lymphoma. The nurse is very cautious in administering the medication because this drug poses the fatal side effect of:
a.    Alopecia
b.    Myeloma
c.    CNS toxicity
d.    Hemorrhagic cystitis

17.    Cytarabine (Ara-C) is an antimetabolite that can cause a common cytarabine syndrome which includes the following apart from:
a.    Fever
b.    Myalgia
c.    Chest pain
d.    Diarrhea

18.    To provide relief from the cytarabine syndrome, which drug is given?
a.    Analgesic
b.    Aspirin
c.    Steroids
d.    Allopurinol

19.    Chemotherapeutic agents have different specific classifications. The following medications are antineoplastic antibiotics except:
a.    Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
b.    Fluorouracil (Adrucil)
c.    Mitoxantrone (Novantrone)
d.    Bleomycin (Blenoxane)

20.    Specific classification of the chemotherapeutic agent, Vincristine ((Oncovin) is:
a.    Hormone modulator
b.    Mitotic inhibitor
c.    Antineoplastic antibiotic
d.    Antimetabolite

21.    A client is diagnosed with progressive prostate cancer. The nurse expects which drug is given?
a.    Anstrazole (arimidex)
b.    Estramustine (Emcyt)
c.    Pclitaxel (Taxol)
d.    Irinotecan (Camptosar)

22.    A client taking a chemotherapeutic agent  understands the effects of therapy by stating:
a.    “I will avoid eating hot and spicy foods.”
b.    “I should stay in my room all the time.”
c.    “I should limit my fluid intake to about 500 ml per day.”
d.    “I should notify the physician immediately if a urine color change is observed.”

23.    A client is diagnosed with breast cancer. The tumor size is up to 5 cm with axillary and neck lymph node involvement. The client is in what stage of breast cancer?
a.    Stage I
b.    Stage II
c.    Stage III
d.    Stage IV

24.    The classic symptoms that define breast cancer includes the following except:
a.    “pink peel” skin
b.    Solitary, irregularly shaped mass
c.    Firm, nontender, nonmobile mass
d.    Abnormal discharge from the nipple

25.    Surgical procedure to treat breast cancer involves the removal of the entire breast, pectoralis major muscle and the axillary lymph nodes is:
a.    Simple mastectomy
b.    Modified radical mastectomy
c.    Halstead Surgery
d.    Radical mastectomy

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