Q.1 Which of the following is the primary goal of chemotherapy in cancer patients?
Relieve pain
Destroy cancer cells
Prevent infection
Replace surgery
Explanation - Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic drugs to target and destroy rapidly dividing cancer cells, aiming to reduce or eliminate tumors.
Correct answer is: Destroy cancer cells
Q.2 Which route of administration is most commonly used for systemic chemotherapy?
Oral
Intravenous
Topical
Inhalation
Explanation - IV administration allows chemotherapy drugs to enter the bloodstream directly, providing systemic effects for widespread cancers.
Correct answer is: Intravenous
Q.3 Which nursing intervention is most important to prevent extravasation during IV chemotherapy?
Use of central line
Rapid infusion
Limiting hydration
Applying ice packs routinely
Explanation - Central lines reduce the risk of vesicant chemotherapy drugs leaking into surrounding tissues, preventing tissue damage.
Correct answer is: Use of central line
Q.4 A patient receiving chemotherapy reports nausea. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
Administer antiemetic before chemotherapy
Encourage large meals
Restrict fluids
Delay chemotherapy
Explanation - Prophylactic antiemetics are given before chemotherapy to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting.
Correct answer is: Administer antiemetic before chemotherapy
Q.5 Which of the following blood components is most commonly affected by chemotherapy?
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
All of the above
Explanation - Chemotherapy suppresses bone marrow activity, leading to anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.6 What is the purpose of using colony-stimulating factors in chemotherapy patients?
Increase immunity
Reduce nausea
Improve appetite
Promote hair growth
Explanation - Colony-stimulating factors stimulate white blood cell production, reducing the risk of infection in neutropenic patients.
Correct answer is: Increase immunity
Q.7 Which of the following is considered a vesicant chemotherapy drug?
Cyclophosphamide
Doxorubicin
Methotrexate
5-Fluorouracil
Explanation - Doxorubicin is a vesicant that can cause severe tissue damage if extravasation occurs, requiring careful administration.
Correct answer is: Doxorubicin
Q.8 Which nursing assessment is crucial before administering chemotherapy?
Vital signs and weight
Allergy history
Lab values including CBC
All of the above
Explanation - Comprehensive assessment ensures patient safety, identifies contraindications, and helps monitor therapy tolerance.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.9 Hair loss in chemotherapy patients is primarily due to which mechanism?
Immune suppression
DNA damage to rapidly dividing cells
Nutritional deficiency
Reduced blood flow
Explanation - Chemotherapy targets all rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicle cells, resulting in alopecia.
Correct answer is: DNA damage to rapidly dividing cells
Q.10 A patient develops mucositis during chemotherapy. What is the best nursing intervention?
Provide a soft, bland diet
Encourage rough foods
Stop chemotherapy immediately
Apply alcohol-based mouthwash
Explanation - Soft, non-irritating foods help reduce pain and prevent further oral mucosal injury during mucositis.
Correct answer is: Provide a soft, bland diet
Q.11 Which of the following is a common late effect of chemotherapy?
Infertility
Neutropenia
Nausea
Hair loss
Explanation - Late effects of chemotherapy may include infertility, cardiotoxicity, or secondary malignancies, while nausea and hair loss are usually acute effects.
Correct answer is: Infertility
Q.12 Why is hydration important during chemotherapy with nephrotoxic agents?
Prevent extravasation
Reduce nausea
Protect kidney function
Promote hair growth
Explanation - Adequate hydration helps flush nephrotoxic drugs from the kidneys, reducing the risk of renal damage.
Correct answer is: Protect kidney function
Q.13 Which vital sign change should a nurse monitor closely during infusion of certain chemotherapy drugs?
Tachycardia
Hypotension
Fever or chills
All of the above
Explanation - Chemotherapy can cause infusion reactions including fever, chills, hypotension, or tachycardia, requiring continuous monitoring.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.14 Which of the following precautions is most important for nurses handling chemotherapy drugs?
Wearing gloves and gown
Oral administration of drugs
Allowing children to handle drugs
Mixing drugs without mask
Explanation - Chemotherapy drugs are hazardous; using protective equipment prevents occupational exposure and skin absorption.
Correct answer is: Wearing gloves and gown
Q.15 Which laboratory value is most critical to check before chemotherapy administration?
Blood glucose
Complete blood count
Electrolytes
Liver function only
Explanation - CBC is essential to evaluate bone marrow function and prevent severe myelosuppression during chemotherapy.
Correct answer is: Complete blood count
Q.16 A patient receiving chemotherapy develops severe diarrhea. What is the first nursing action?
Administer antidiarrheal medication
Assess hydration and electrolytes
Withhold all fluids
Give high-fiber diet
Explanation - Chemotherapy-induced diarrhea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance; assessment precedes interventions.
Correct answer is: Assess hydration and electrolytes
Q.17 Which factor increases the risk of infection in chemotherapy patients?
Neutropenia
Thrombocytopenia
Anemia
Hair loss
Explanation - Low neutrophil counts weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections during chemotherapy.
Correct answer is: Neutropenia
Q.18 What is the most appropriate nursing advice for a patient experiencing fatigue due to chemotherapy?
Encourage rest and energy conservation
Force intensive exercise
Ignore fatigue
Increase work hours
Explanation - Fatigue is common during chemotherapy; balancing rest with light activity helps maintain quality of life.
Correct answer is: Encourage rest and energy conservation
Q.19 Which of the following is an important dietary recommendation for chemotherapy patients?
Small, frequent meals
High alcohol intake
Excessive raw foods
Skip meals
Explanation - Frequent, smaller meals can help manage nausea, maintain nutrition, and improve tolerance to chemotherapy.
Correct answer is: Small, frequent meals
Q.20 Which patient teaching is essential regarding immunosuppression during chemotherapy?
Avoid crowds and sick contacts
No need for vaccinations
Increase sugar intake
Exercise outdoors only
Explanation - Chemotherapy suppresses immunity; avoiding exposure to infectious agents is crucial to prevent illness.
Correct answer is: Avoid crowds and sick contacts
Q.21 Which type of chemotherapy agent is most likely to cause cardiotoxicity?
Anthracyclines
Alkylating agents
Antimetabolites
Vinca alkaloids
Explanation - Anthracyclines like doxorubicin can damage cardiac tissue, necessitating monitoring of cardiac function.
Correct answer is: Anthracyclines
Q.22 Which nursing intervention can reduce the risk of stomatitis in chemotherapy patients?
Frequent oral rinses with saline
Brushing teeth aggressively
Using alcohol-based mouthwash
Skipping oral hygiene
Explanation - Gentle oral care with non-irritating rinses reduces inflammation and prevents infection in the oral mucosa.
Correct answer is: Frequent oral rinses with saline
Q.23 What is the primary reason for monitoring liver function in chemotherapy patients?
Prevent hair loss
Detect hepatotoxicity
Reduce nausea
Enhance appetite
Explanation - Some chemotherapy drugs are metabolized by the liver; monitoring liver function helps detect early toxicity.
Correct answer is: Detect hepatotoxicity
Q.24 Why should live vaccines be avoided in patients receiving chemotherapy?
Risk of infection due to immunosuppression
They are less effective
They increase nausea
They cause hair loss
Explanation - Live vaccines can cause infection in immunocompromised patients because their immune system cannot handle attenuated pathogens.
Correct answer is: Risk of infection due to immunosuppression
Q.25 Which of the following is an early sign of chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity?
Proteinuria
Hypertension
Edema
All of the above
Explanation - Chemotherapy drugs can damage kidneys, causing proteinuria, hypertension, and edema; early detection is critical.
Correct answer is: All of the above