OCN Patient Education and Survivorship 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Sexual health concerns in cancer survivors should be addressed using which approach?
- PLISSIT model (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy) (Correct answer)
- Refer all sexual concerns to psychiatry without discussion
- Avoid the topic unless the patient raises it first
- Only address sexual health at the last visit
Correct answer: PLISSIT model (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy)
The PLISSIT model provides a structured framework for progressively addressing sexual health concerns in cancer survivors within nursing practice.
Question 2: A breast cancer survivor asks if she can use herbal supplements during follow-up care. The nurse's best response is:
- Always discuss supplements with your oncologist because some can interact with cancer treatments (Correct answer)
- All herbal supplements are safe for cancer survivors
- Supplements are never safe after cancer treatment
- Supplements only matter during active chemotherapy
Correct answer: Always discuss supplements with your oncologist because some can interact with cancer treatments
Many herbal supplements interact with hormonal therapies or have estrogenic activity; oncologist review before use is essential in breast cancer survivors.
Question 3: Which psychological condition is most common in cancer survivors and requires routine screening?
- Depression and anxiety (Correct answer)
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Personality disorders
Correct answer: Depression and anxiety
Depression and anxiety affect up to 40% of cancer survivors and should be routinely screened using validated tools such as the PHQ-9 and GAD-7.
Question 4: A survivor who completed treatment 2 years ago reports fear of recurrence at every follow-up visit. The nurse should:
- Acknowledge the fear, assess its impact on functioning, and refer to psychosocial support if needed (Correct answer)
- Dismiss the concern since treatment is complete
- Tell the patient to stop worrying
- Reduce follow-up visit frequency to limit anxiety triggers
Correct answer: Acknowledge the fear, assess its impact on functioning, and refer to psychosocial support if needed
Fear of recurrence is a normal and prevalent survivorship issue; validating the experience and connecting the patient with psychosocial resources is the standard approach.
Question 5: Return to work after cancer treatment is supported by which nursing intervention?
- Connecting the patient with occupational therapy and informing them of ADA workplace accommodations (Correct answer)
- Advising permanent disability leave for all survivors
- Returning to work immediately after the last chemo dose
- Avoiding any discussion of employment during cancer care
Correct answer: Connecting the patient with occupational therapy and informing them of ADA workplace accommodations
Nurses help survivors return to work by facilitating occupational therapy referrals and educating about ADA rights to reasonable workplace accommodations.
Question 6: The 'teachback' method in patient education is best described as:
- Asking the patient to explain the information back in their own words to confirm understanding (Correct answer)
- Reading written instructions aloud to the patient
- Testing the patient with a multiple-choice quiz
- Showing a video and asking if they have questions
Correct answer: Asking the patient to explain the information back in their own words to confirm understanding
Teach-back is an evidence-based health literacy technique where the nurse asks the patient to restate information to verify comprehension before discharge.
OCN Patient Education and Survivorship 2
Sexual health concerns in cancer survivors should be addressed using which approach?