OCN Oncologic Emergencies 2

Question 1

Neutropenic fever in a cancer patient is defined as a single oral temperature ≥38.3°C (101°F) or ≥38°C (100.4°F) for 1 hour AND an ANC of:

Accepted Answer

< 500 cells/mm³

Answer

IDSA guidelines define neutropenic fever as fever with an ANC <500 cells/mm³, or <1000 cells/mm³ with expected decline to <500.

Question 2

A neutropenic patient with fever should receive empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics within:

Accepted Answer

1 hour of presentation

Answer

Current guidelines recommend initiating empiric IV antibiotics within 1 hour of presentation in febrile neutropenia to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Question 3

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in cancer is most commonly associated with which malignancy?

Accepted Answer

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)

Answer

APL (AML-M3) is classically associated with DIC due to release of procoagulant granules from malignant promyelocytes.

Question 4

A patient with known lung cancer develops distant heart sounds, jugular venous distension, and hypotension. The nurse suspects:

Accepted Answer

Cardiac tamponade

Answer

Beck's triad (muffled heart sounds, JVD, hypotension) is classic for cardiac tamponade, which can result from malignant pericardial effusion.

Question 5

Which of the following best prevents tumor lysis syndrome in high-risk patients starting chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Allopurinol or rasburicase plus aggressive IV hydration

Answer

Allopurinol (or rasburicase for very high-risk cases) combined with aggressive IV hydration is the standard prophylaxis for TLS in high-risk patients.

OCN Exam Practice Test

OCN Exam Practice Test

OCN Oncologic Emergencies 2