Complete Exam Guide Subject-wise practice platform
0 XP
Cancer and Oncology Nursing

Chemotherapy Agents and Side Effects Practice Questions

20 free Chemotherapy Agents and Side Effects practice questions for the NCLEX Exam. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.

Practice in Quiz Mode

Question 1 of 20 Medium

A nurse monitors a patient receiving doxorubicin for signs of which major adverse effect?

  1. A Nephrotoxicity
  2. B Hepatotoxicity
  3. C Cardiotoxicity
  4. D Ototoxicity

Correct answer: Cardiotoxicity

Doxorubicin is known for dose-related cardiotoxicity that can lead to heart failure due to free radical formation and myocardial damage.

Question 2 of 20 Medium

A patient receiving cyclophosphamide should be encouraged to increase fluid intake primarily to prevent:

  1. A Severe constipation
  2. B Hemorrhagic cystitis
  3. C Marked myelosuppression
  4. D Reversible alopecia

Correct answer: Hemorrhagic cystitis

Cyclophosphamide can cause hemorrhagic cystitis due to acrolein accumulation in the bladder; hydration helps prevent this.

Question 3 of 20 Medium

Vincristine, a mitotic inhibitor, is known to cause which specific side effect?

  1. A Pulmonary fibrosis
  2. B Peripheral neuropathy
  3. C Bone marrow suppression
  4. D Renal failure

Correct answer: Peripheral neuropathy

Vincristine disrupts microtubule function, leading to peripheral neuropathy rather than bone marrow suppression.

Question 4 of 20 Medium

Which chemotherapy drug is associated with nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity?

  1. A Cisplatin
  2. B Methotrexate
  3. C Bleomycin
  4. D Tamoxifen

Correct answer: Cisplatin

Cisplatin can cause renal tubular damage and sensorineural hearing loss due to accumulation in the kidneys and inner ear.

Question 5 of 20 Medium

A nurse monitors the WBC count closely in a patient receiving methotrexate because this drug causes:

  1. A Neurotoxicity
  2. B Myelosuppression
  3. C Hyperglycemia
  4. D Ototoxicity

Correct answer: Myelosuppression

Methotrexate inhibits folic acid metabolism, leading to bone marrow suppression and decreased WBC production.

Question 6 of 20 Medium

Leucovorin is often administered with methotrexate to:

  1. A Enhance its cytotoxic effects
  2. B Prevent folate-related toxicity
  3. C Reduce its renal toxicity
  4. D Stimulate immune function

Correct answer: Prevent folate-related toxicity

Leucovorin rescues normal cells from methotrexate toxicity by replenishing folate stores, preventing severe side effects.

Question 7 of 20 Medium

A patient receiving bleomycin should be monitored for which serious adverse reaction?

  1. A Cardiac dysrhythmias
  2. B Pulmonary fibrosis
  3. C Renal failure
  4. D Neurotoxicity

Correct answer: Pulmonary fibrosis

Bleomycin causes pulmonary fibrosis due to accumulation in lung tissue, leading to scarring and reduced gas exchange.

Question 8 of 20 Medium

Which chemotherapeutic agent is most likely to cause hemorrhagic cystitis?

  1. A Doxorubicin
  2. B Ifosfamide
  3. C Vinblastine
  4. D Fluorouracil

Correct answer: Ifosfamide

Ifosfamide can cause severe bladder irritation similar to cyclophosphamide, requiring concurrent mesna and hydration.

Question 9 of 20 Medium

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of methotrexate?

  1. A Alkylates DNA to prevent replication
  2. B Inhibits folic acid synthesis
  3. C Binds to microtubules preventing mitosis
  4. D Damages cell membranes directly

Correct answer: Inhibits folic acid synthesis

Methotrexate blocks dihydrofolate reductase, preventing DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells.

Question 10 of 20 Medium

Which chemotherapy agent’s extravasation can cause severe tissue necrosis?

  1. A Vincristine
  2. B Cisplatin
  3. C Doxorubicin
  4. D Cyclophosphamide

Correct answer: Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin is a vesicant; if it leaks into surrounding tissue, it can cause severe necrosis due to local cytotoxic effects.

Question 11 of 20 Medium

Which anti-cancer drug is classified as a plant alkaloid?

  1. A Doxorubicin
  2. B Vincristine
  3. C Cisplatin
  4. D Cyclophosphamide

Correct answer: Vincristine

Vincristine, derived from the periwinkle plant, interferes with microtubule assembly and arrests mitosis.

Question 12 of 20 Medium

Which lab result is most concerning in a patient receiving cytarabine?

  1. A Total bilirubin 1.0 mg/dL
  2. B Platelet count 40,000/mm³
  3. C Serum calcium 9.2 mg/dL
  4. D Serum sodium 136 mEq/L

Correct answer: Platelet count 40,000/mm³

Cytarabine suppresses bone marrow function; thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk and warrants prompt intervention.

Question 13 of 20 Medium

The nurse advises a patient on fluorouracil (5-FU) therapy to report:

  1. A A persistent metallic taste
  2. B Mouth sores and mucositis
  3. C A noticeably increased appetite
  4. D Mild tingling in the toes

Correct answer: Mouth sores and mucositis

Fluorouracil commonly causes mucositis due to its effect on rapidly dividing mucosal cells.

Question 14 of 20 Medium

A male patient on bleomycin reports shortness of breath and cough. The nurse suspects:

  1. A Pulmonary fibrosis
  2. B Acute fluid overload
  3. C Respiratory infection
  4. D Anemia of malignancy

Correct answer: Pulmonary fibrosis

Bleomycin toxicity leads to pulmonary fibrosis, characterized by cough and dyspnea due to irreversible lung scarring.

Question 15 of 20 Medium

Which chemotherapy drug is given intrathecally for CNS involvement?

  1. A Cyclophosphamide
  2. B Vincristine
  3. C Methotrexate
  4. D Doxorubicin

Correct answer: Methotrexate

Methotrexate can cross into cerebrospinal fluid and is administered intrathecally to treat CNS leukemia.

Question 16 of 20 Medium

Which agent is an estrogen receptor modulator used in breast cancer treatment?

  1. A Methotrexate
  2. B Tamoxifen
  3. C Doxorubicin
  4. D Cisplatin

Correct answer: Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen binds to estrogen receptors, blocking estrogen-dependent tumor growth in hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

Question 17 of 20 Medium

Which laboratory value is most important to monitor during cisplatin therapy?

  1. A Serum creatinine
  2. B Hemoglobin
  3. C Platelet count
  4. D Glucose

Correct answer: Serum creatinine

Cisplatin is nephrotoxic, so renal function must be closely monitored through serum creatinine and BUN levels.

Question 18 of 20 Medium

A nurse recognizes that alopecia is a common and reversible side effect of:

  1. A Vincristine
  2. B Cyclophosphamide
  3. C Methotrexate
  4. D All of the above

Correct answer: All of the above

Many chemotherapeutic agents affect rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicles, leading to reversible hair loss.

Question 19 of 20 Medium

Which nursing intervention is essential for a patient receiving vesicant chemotherapy via IV?

  1. A Use a peripheral short catheter
  2. B Monitor the IV site for redness/swelling
  3. C Apply a warm compress after infusion
  4. D Give the drug by rapid IV push

Correct answer: Monitor the IV site for redness/swelling

Vesicants like doxorubicin can cause severe tissue necrosis if extravasated; early detection prevents complications.

Question 20 of 20 Medium

Which symptom indicates potential neurotoxicity in a patient receiving vincristine?

  1. A Unexplained weight gain
  2. B Numbness and tingling in the extremities
  3. C Gross hematuria
  4. D Persistent dry cough

Correct answer: Numbness and tingling in the extremities

Vincristine damages peripheral nerves, leading to sensory and motor neuropathies manifested as tingling and numbness.

0 / 20 answered