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

The WHO analgesic ladder starts with non-opioid medications (acetaminophen, NSAIDs) for mild pain (Step 1), progressing to weak opioids (Step 2) and strong opioids (Step 3) as pain intensity increases.

Question 2

What is breakthrough pain in cancer patients?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Breakthrough pain is a temporary flare of moderate to severe pain that occurs despite adequate background pain control with around-the-clock medications, requiring fast-acting rescue medications.

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

Non-verbal patients require behavioral observation tools like the FLACC scale (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) that assess pain through observable indicators rather than self-report.

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

CRF is a distressing, persistent sense of physical, emotional, and cognitive exhaustion related to cancer or its treatment that is disproportionate to recent activity and not fully relieved by rest or sleep.

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

Mucositis is painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucosal lining of the GI tract (especially the mouth), most commonly caused by high-dose chemotherapy, head and neck radiation, and stem cell transplant conditioning regimens.

COCN Test Practice Test

COCN Test Practice Test

COCN Cancer Pain and Symptom Management