OCN Oncologic Emergencies

Question 1

A patient with small cell lung cancer presents with facial swelling, venous distension of the neck and chest, and dyspnea. This presentation is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome

Answer

SVC syndrome is caused by obstruction of the SVC, commonly by mediastinal tumors, leading to facial edema, neck vein distension, and dyspnea.

Question 2

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is most likely to occur in which cancer type?

Accepted Answer

Highly proliferative tumors such as Burkitt lymphoma or ALL

Answer

TLS most commonly occurs with highly proliferative hematologic malignancies like Burkitt lymphoma or ALL due to rapid cell lysis releasing intracellular contents.

Question 3

Which laboratory finding is NOT consistent with tumor lysis syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Hypercalcemia

Answer

TLS causes hypocalcemia (not hypercalcemia) because phosphate released from lysed cells binds calcium, lowering serum levels.

Question 4

A patient with multiple myeloma presents with confusion, polyuria, and constipation. Serum calcium is 13.5 mg/dL. The priority nursing intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Initiate aggressive IV hydration with normal saline

Answer

Aggressive IV hydration with normal saline is the first-line treatment for hypercalcemia of malignancy to dilute calcium and promote renal excretion.

Question 5

Spinal cord compression in oncology patients most commonly presents initially with:

Accepted Answer

Back pain

Answer

Back pain is the earliest and most common presenting symptom of malignant spinal cord compression, often preceding neurologic deficits.

OCN Exam Practice Test

OCN Exam Practice Test

OCN Oncologic Emergencies