ONCC Chemotherapy Administration and Safety 3

Question 1

A patient is prescribed oral capecitabine (Xeloda). Which teaching point is MOST important for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Take with food within 30 minutes after meals and report hand-foot syndrome immediately

Answer

Capecitabine should be taken with food to enhance absorption and reduce GI side effects, and patients must be educated to report hand-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia) early.

Question 2

Which of the following chemotherapy agents is classified as a vesicant and requires a central venous access device for safe administration?

Accepted Answer

Doxorubicin

Answer

Doxorubicin is a potent vesicant that can cause severe tissue necrosis if extravasated, making central venous access preferred to minimize extravasation risk.

Question 3

The nurse notes that a chemotherapy bag label does not match the patient's armband. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Do not administer and resolve the discrepancy through proper verification channels before proceeding

Answer

Chemotherapy administration requires strict two-identifier verification; any discrepancy must be resolved through proper channels before administration to prevent fatal medication errors.

Question 4

A patient receiving IV oxaliplatin complains of acute throat tightening and difficulty swallowing cold liquids. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Educate the patient that this is a known cold-induced peripheral neuropathy and advise avoiding cold temperatures

Answer

Oxaliplatin causes an acute cold-induced dysesthesia (throat tightening, laryngopharyngeal spasm sensation) that is a known side effect, not anaphylaxis, and is managed by avoiding cold exposure.

Question 5

During irinotecan infusion, a patient develops acute onset of diarrhea, diaphoresis, and abdominal cramping. Which agent should the nurse administer?

Accepted Answer

Atropine

Answer

Irinotecan causes acute cholinergic syndrome during or shortly after infusion; atropine is the treatment of choice because it blocks acetylcholine excess causing these symptoms.

ONCC - Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Practice Test

ONCC - Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation Practice Test

ONCC Chemotherapy Administration and Safety 3