COCN Psychosocial Oncology Nursing — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What validated tool is recommended for screening cancer patients for psychological distress?
- NCCN Distress Thermometer (Correct answer)
- Glasgow Coma Scale
- Braden Scale
- Morse Fall Scale
Correct answer: NCCN Distress Thermometer
The NCCN Distress Thermometer is a validated, single-item screening tool that allows patients to rate their distress on a 0-10 scale, with an accompanying problem checklist identifying sources of distress.
Question 2: At what point on the NCCN Distress Thermometer should a referral for psychosocial support be considered?
- A score of 4 or higher (Correct answer)
- A score of 8 or higher
- Only a score of 10
- Any score above 0
Correct answer: A score of 4 or higher
A score of 4 or higher on the Distress Thermometer indicates clinically significant distress that warrants further assessment and potential referral to psychosocial support services.
Question 3: What is anticipatory grief in cancer patients?
- Grief experienced before the actual loss, often related to anticipated death or loss of function (Correct answer)
- Grief that occurs only after treatment is complete
- Excessive worry about minor side effects
- A normal response to scheduling treatment appointments
Correct answer: Grief experienced before the actual loss, often related to anticipated death or loss of function
Anticipatory grief is the mourning process that occurs before an expected loss, which may include impending death, loss of body parts, loss of independence, or loss of future plans and expectations.
Question 4: How should oncology nurses address spiritual distress in cancer patients?
- Assess spiritual needs, provide compassionate presence, and refer to chaplain or spiritual care services (Correct answer)
- Avoid the topic of spirituality entirely
- Share personal religious beliefs with the patient
- Prescribe meditation exercises
Correct answer: Assess spiritual needs, provide compassionate presence, and refer to chaplain or spiritual care services
Nurses should perform spiritual assessments using validated tools, provide compassionate presence, respect diverse beliefs, facilitate connections with spiritual care providers, and support the patient's coping strategies.
Question 5: What are common coping mechanisms observed in cancer patients?
- Problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and meaning-making (Correct answer)
- Only denial and anger
- Exclusively seeking second opinions
- Immediate acceptance without distress
Correct answer: Problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and meaning-making
Cancer patients use various coping strategies including problem-focused approaches (seeking information, treatment planning), emotion-focused methods (support groups, counseling), and meaning-making (finding purpose, spiritual growth).
Question 6: What is compassion fatigue and how does it affect oncology nurses?
- Physical and emotional exhaustion from caring for suffering patients, leading to reduced empathy and burnout (Correct answer)
- Fatigue from walking long distances in the hospital
- Tiredness from too many compassionate conversations
- A temporary condition that resolves with a good night's sleep
Correct answer: Physical and emotional exhaustion from caring for suffering patients, leading to reduced empathy and burnout
Compassion fatigue is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that develops from repeated exposure to patients' suffering, potentially leading to decreased empathy, emotional numbness, burnout, and reduced quality of care.
COCN Psychosocial Oncology Nursing
What validated tool is recommended for screening cancer patients for psychological distress?