OCC OCC Supportive Care & Symptom Management

Question 1

A patient with advanced cancer rates their pain as 7/10 and is currently on scheduled oral morphine. Which WHO analgesic ladder principle guides the next step?

Accepted Answer

Increase the opioid dose or switch to a stronger opioid for uncontrolled moderate-to-severe pain

Answer

Add a non-opioid adjuvant and remove the opioid

Answer

Switch to non-pharmacologic methods only

Answer

Reduce the opioid dose to prevent tolerance

Question 2

Which nutritional screening tool is MOST commonly recommended for oncology patients to identify malnutrition risk?

Accepted Answer

Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA)

Answer

Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement alone

Answer

24-hour dietary recall only

Answer

Serum albumin level

Question 3

A terminally ill cancer patient reports existential distress and loss of meaning. Which supportive care approach is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Initiate dignity therapy or meaning-centered counseling with palliative care support

Answer

Refer exclusively to psychiatry for pharmacological management

Answer

Increase opioid doses to reduce psychological discomfort

Answer

Reassure the patient that these feelings will resolve after treatment

Question 4

Which integrative therapy has BEST evidence for reducing chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting as a complement to antiemetics?

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture and acupressure

Answer

Aromatherapy with peppermint oil

Answer

Magnet therapy

Answer

Herbal supplements including ginger capsules at high doses

Question 5

A patient on long-term opioid therapy for cancer pain develops opioid-induced constipation unresponsive to stimulant laxatives. What is the MOST appropriate next intervention?

Accepted Answer

Administer methylnaltrexone (Relistor) to reverse peripheral opioid effects in the GI tract

Answer

Discontinue the opioid and switch to NSAIDs

Answer

Increase dietary fiber intake to 30g/day

Answer

Administer a saline enema daily

Question 6

A patient with advanced cancer is transitioning to hospice care. What is the PRIMARY goal of hospice care?

Accepted Answer

Maximize comfort, dignity, and quality of life while supporting the patient and family

Answer

Achieve remission using aggressive chemotherapy

Answer

Prolong survival at all costs with curative intent

Answer

Provide wound care and medication management only