COCN Cancer Pain and Symptom Management

Question 1

According to the WHO analgesic ladder, what is the first step for managing mild cancer pain?

Accepted Answer

Non-opioid analgesics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs

Answer

Strong opioids like morphine

Answer

Nerve blocks

Answer

Radiation therapy for pain control

Question 2

What is breakthrough pain in cancer patients?

Accepted Answer

Transient flares of pain that occur despite around-the-clock analgesic therapy

Answer

Pain that breaks through the skin surface

Answer

Pain caused by physical therapy exercises

Answer

The initial pain felt at cancer diagnosis

Question 3

What nursing assessment tool is appropriate for evaluating pain in non-verbal cancer patients?

Accepted Answer

FLACC scale or behavioral pain assessment tools

Answer

Numeric rating scale (0-10)

Answer

Visual analog scale

Answer

Brief Pain Inventory

Question 4

What is cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and how does it differ from normal tiredness?

Accepted Answer

A persistent, distressing sense of exhaustion not proportional to activity and not relieved by rest

Answer

Normal tiredness after exercise

Answer

Temporary fatigue during chemotherapy only

Answer

Drowsiness from pain medications

Question 5

What is mucositis and which cancer treatment most commonly causes it?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation and ulceration of mucous membranes, most common with high-dose chemotherapy and head/neck radiation

Answer

A skin rash from targeted therapy

Answer

Muscle inflammation from immunotherapy

Answer

Bone marrow suppression from surgery

Question 6

What is the nurse's role in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)?

Accepted Answer

Administering antiemetics per protocol, assessing effectiveness, and implementing non-pharmacologic interventions

Answer

Prescribing antiemetic medications independently

Answer

Only providing emotional support

Answer

Withholding all fluids during treatment