Q.1 Which of the following is the most critical nursing assessment immediately after a mastectomy?
Respiratory rate
Drainage from surgical site
Level of consciousness
Blood glucose levels
Explanation - Monitoring drainage is essential to detect bleeding or fluid accumulation after mastectomy, which can lead to complications such as hematoma or infection.
Correct answer is: Drainage from surgical site
Q.2 What is the primary purpose of a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain after cancer surgery?
Deliver medications
Remove excess fluids
Monitor oxygenation
Prevent hypothermia
Explanation - JP drains help prevent fluid accumulation at the surgical site, reducing the risk of infection and promoting proper wound healing.
Correct answer is: Remove excess fluids
Q.3 Which intervention is most important to prevent lymphedema in a patient after axillary lymph node dissection?
Elevate the affected arm
Avoid blood pressure measurement on the affected arm
Encourage vigorous exercise immediately
Apply tight compression bandages
Explanation - Preventing trauma or pressure on the affected limb reduces the risk of lymphedema, which is a common complication after lymph node removal.
Correct answer is: Avoid blood pressure measurement on the affected arm
Q.4 Which of the following signs indicates a potential surgical site infection?
Mild bruising
Warmth, redness, and purulent drainage
Slight tenderness
Transient numbness
Explanation - These are classic signs of infection at the surgical site, requiring prompt nursing intervention and possible antibiotics.
Correct answer is: Warmth, redness, and purulent drainage
Q.5 After abdominal cancer surgery, what is the priority nursing action for a patient experiencing paralytic ileus?
Encourage early ambulation
Insert a nasogastric tube for decompression
Administer intravenous antibiotics
Increase oral fluids
Explanation - Paralytic ileus is a common postoperative complication. NG tube decompression relieves pressure and prevents vomiting and further complications.
Correct answer is: Insert a nasogastric tube for decompression
Q.6 Which type of diet is typically recommended initially after gastrointestinal cancer surgery?
High-fiber diet
Clear liquid diet
Low-protein diet
Unrestricted diet
Explanation - Clear liquids are easier to digest and help prevent postoperative nausea, vomiting, and stress on the surgical site.
Correct answer is: Clear liquid diet
Q.7 What is the primary purpose of preoperative teaching for a patient undergoing cancer surgery?
Reduce surgical anxiety
Increase hospital stay
Replace postoperative care
Reduce the need for anesthesia
Explanation - Preoperative teaching helps patients understand the procedure, set realistic expectations, and reduce anxiety, which can improve outcomes.
Correct answer is: Reduce surgical anxiety
Q.8 Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action for a patient with a newly created stoma after colorectal surgery?
Apply tight dressing around the stoma
Assess stoma color and output
Limit fluid intake
Massage the stoma regularly
Explanation - Monitoring stoma viability and output is critical for early detection of ischemia or obstruction.
Correct answer is: Assess stoma color and output
Q.9 Which complication is a patient at risk for after radical neck dissection?
Hypothyroidism
Shoulder drop due to nerve injury
Pulmonary embolism
Urinary retention
Explanation - Radical neck dissection can damage the spinal accessory nerve, leading to shoulder dysfunction, which nursing care should address with exercises and support.
Correct answer is: Shoulder drop due to nerve injury
Q.10 What is the most important nursing consideration when managing pain in post-operative oncology patients?
Use only non-opioid analgesics
Administer analgesics as prescribed and monitor response
Avoid pain medications to prevent dependency
Focus on alternative therapies only
Explanation - Effective pain management improves recovery, mobility, and quality of life. Nurses must assess and adjust pain control as needed.
Correct answer is: Administer analgesics as prescribed and monitor response
Q.11 Which of the following nursing interventions helps prevent postoperative pneumonia in surgical oncology patients?
Encourage deep breathing and coughing exercises
Limit oral intake
Keep patient immobile
Administer prophylactic antibiotics only
Explanation - Deep breathing and coughing help expand the lungs, remove secretions, and reduce the risk of pulmonary complications.
Correct answer is: Encourage deep breathing and coughing exercises
Q.12 Why is early ambulation important after cancer surgery?
Prevents deep vein thrombosis and promotes bowel function
Reduces the need for analgesics
Increases surgical site bleeding
Prevents hypothermia
Explanation - Early ambulation reduces the risk of blood clots, enhances circulation, and stimulates gastrointestinal motility.
Correct answer is: Prevents deep vein thrombosis and promotes bowel function
Q.13 Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in a patient after major oncologic surgery?
Hemoglobin and hematocrit
Serum glucose
Serum sodium
Liver enzymes only
Explanation - Monitoring hemoglobin and hematocrit helps detect postoperative bleeding or anemia, which is common after major surgeries.
Correct answer is: Hemoglobin and hematocrit
Q.14 Which of the following signs may indicate hypovolemic shock after surgery?
Bradycardia and warm skin
Tachycardia, hypotension, and pallor
Normal vitals and mild discomfort
Fever and cough
Explanation - These are classic signs of hypovolemic shock due to blood loss, requiring immediate intervention.
Correct answer is: Tachycardia, hypotension, and pallor
Q.15 What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with a surgical wound dehiscence?
Cover the wound with sterile saline dressing and notify the surgeon
Encourage the patient to move the wound
Apply dry bandages only
Administer oral antibiotics without wound care
Explanation - Dehiscence requires immediate sterile coverage to prevent infection and prompt surgical evaluation.
Correct answer is: Cover the wound with sterile saline dressing and notify the surgeon
Q.16 Which postoperative nursing intervention helps prevent thromboembolism in oncology patients?
Encourage leg exercises and ambulation
Keep patient on strict bed rest
Avoid hydration
Apply tight compression garments on the arms
Explanation - Early movement and leg exercises improve circulation and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Correct answer is: Encourage leg exercises and ambulation
Q.17 What is the most appropriate action if a patient develops sudden shortness of breath post-surgery?
Administer oxygen and assess vital signs
Encourage deep sleep
Increase oral fluids rapidly
Monitor without intervention
Explanation - Sudden dyspnea may indicate pulmonary embolism, atelectasis, or other complications requiring immediate assessment and intervention.
Correct answer is: Administer oxygen and assess vital signs
Q.18 Which nursing action is essential to reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting in oncology patients?
Administer antiemetics as prescribed and monitor response
Encourage large meals immediately
Restrict all fluids
Avoid medications
Explanation - Postoperative nausea can be managed with prescribed antiemetics, which improve comfort and prevent dehydration or aspiration.
Correct answer is: Administer antiemetics as prescribed and monitor response
Q.19 Which patient teaching is important for wound care after discharge?
Keep the incision clean and dry and report any redness or discharge
Submerge the wound in water daily
Apply unprescribed ointments freely
Avoid reporting minor changes
Explanation - Proper wound care reduces the risk of infection and promotes healing. Patients should be educated to identify warning signs early.
Correct answer is: Keep the incision clean and dry and report any redness or discharge
Q.20 Which factor increases the risk of postoperative infection in oncology patients?
Malnutrition and immunosuppression
Early ambulation
Adequate hydration
Clean surgical technique
Explanation - Oncology patients are often immunocompromised or malnourished, which increases susceptibility to infection.
Correct answer is: Malnutrition and immunosuppression
Q.21 Which of the following is a priority nursing action for a patient experiencing postoperative hemorrhage?
Apply pressure to the surgical site and notify the surgeon
Encourage oral fluids
Monitor only
Apply heat packs
Explanation - Postoperative hemorrhage is a medical emergency. Immediate pressure and prompt notification are critical for patient safety.
Correct answer is: Apply pressure to the surgical site and notify the surgeon
Q.22 What is an important nursing consideration for patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy?
Monitor for increased infection risk and delayed wound healing
Avoid monitoring vital signs
Limit hydration
Encourage high-impact exercises immediately
Explanation - Chemotherapy can suppress immunity and delay healing, requiring careful postoperative monitoring and infection prevention measures.
Correct answer is: Monitor for increased infection risk and delayed wound healing
Q.23 Which sign indicates a possible seroma formation after surgery?
Soft, fluctuant swelling at the surgical site
Fever and chills
Tachycardia
Constipation
Explanation - Seromas are collections of clear fluid at the surgical site, presenting as soft, fluctuant swelling. Early recognition prevents infection and discomfort.
Correct answer is: Soft, fluctuant swelling at the surgical site
Q.24 Which of the following is a key component of postoperative pain assessment in oncology patients?
Location, intensity, quality, and duration of pain
Only blood pressure readings
Dietary intake
Respiratory rate alone
Explanation - Comprehensive pain assessment ensures proper management and improves patient outcomes.
Correct answer is: Location, intensity, quality, and duration of pain