ONCC Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse Examination Practice Test
Pediatric hematology-oncology nursing applies child-focused assessment and supportive care to cancer and blood disorders. Practice-bank questions sample decisions involving chemotherapy effects, oral mucositis, diarrhea, glucose changes, central venous catheter infection prevention, transfusion safety, and bleeding risks. They also touch on caregiver guidance, procedure preparation, and preventive medication during treatment.
Exam overview
About the ONCC Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse Examination Exam
Care in this area requires recognizing changes that may signal treatment toxicity or an urgent complication, then communicating findings and following an appropriate care plan. Relevant clinical tasks include assessing symptoms such as diarrhea and painful mucositis, monitoring for corticosteroid-related effects, and reinforcing infection-prevention measures for tunneled central venous catheters. Nurses also help prepare children for procedures such as lumbar puncture, provide developmentally appropriate support for anxiety, and verify essential safety steps before transfusion. Hematology knowledge is important when a child with a bleeding disorder sustains a potentially serious injury, even if symptoms are not initially apparent. Caregiver teaching connects these decisions to home observation, medication use, and timely contact with the clinical team. The available question set samples these concepts but does not establish official exam domains or their relative emphasis.
Sample Practice Questions
Review a selection from this exam's published US Practice Tests practice bank.
A child receiving chemotherapy has painful oral mucositis. Which care measure is most appropriate?
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Correct answer: BGentle, regular oral care with a soft toothbrush and bland rinses can help maintain comfort and reduce complications. Alcohol-containing rinses and acidic foods or drinks may irritate damaged mucosa; oral hygiene should not be stopped.
A child with cancer has a tunneled central venous catheter. Which caregiver action best reduces infection risk during routine catheter care?
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Correct answer: AHand hygiene, aseptic technique, and appropriate antiseptic disinfection with adequate drying time are key measures for preventing catheter-related infection. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene, and syringes must not be reused.
A child receiving chemotherapy has a markedly elevated serum glucose level. Which treatment-related factor is a recognized cause of hyperglycemia?
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Correct answer: ACorticosteroids can increase blood glucose by affecting glucose metabolism. Children receiving these medicines may need glucose monitoring and clinical follow-up according to their treatment plan.
A child receiving chemotherapy has new diarrhea. Which caregiver instruction is most appropriate while the clinical team evaluates the symptom?
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Correct answer: ATracking stool frequency and characteristics helps assess severity and possible causes. Prompt reporting of worsening symptoms or dehydration is important; medication and fluid guidance should follow the child's clinical plan.
A caregiver asks how to support a child who is anxious about an upcoming procedure. Which nursing response is most helpful?
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Correct answer: ADevelopmentally appropriate information, supportive preparation, and limited meaningful choices can help children feel safer and more involved. False reassurance and dismissing or concealing concerns can undermine trust.
A child with cancer is scheduled for a lumbar puncture. Which position commonly helps the clinician access the lower lumbar space?
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Correct answer: AA flexed side-lying position can widen the spaces between lumbar vertebrae and facilitate lumbar puncture. The child’s condition and procedural requirements may call for a different position, and staff should support the child and follow the clinician’s instructions.
A child with cancer is scheduled to receive a blood transfusion. Which action is essential immediately before starting the transfusion?
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Correct answer: ACorrect patient and blood-product identification using the institution’s required verification process is a critical transfusion-safety step. Blood products must not be microwaved or mixed with medications in the bag.
How to use this practice test
Access the free practice set to work through up to 20 randomly selected questions from the 50-question bank. After the session, review the results to identify which sampled decisions need more attention, such as treatment-related symptom assessment, catheter care, transfusion safety, or caregiver instructions.
Preparation tips
- For chemotherapy-related symptoms, distinguish findings that require prompt clinical evaluation from supportive measures caregivers can use while awaiting guidance.
- Review tunneled central venous catheter infection-prevention steps, including clean technique during routine care and signs that should be reported.
- Rehearse transfusion safety checks and baseline assessment tasks that must occur before blood products are started.
- Connect corticosteroid treatment with possible effects such as elevated glucose, and consider what monitoring findings should be communicated.
- For pediatric bleeding disorders, treat significant head injury as potentially serious even when the child initially appears well; focus on urgent caregiver guidance.