• 50 questions

OCN Practice Test

Unofficial OCN practice exam for oncology nurses, weighted like the published test content outline.

Which vaccine prevents infection with the virus that causes most cervical cancers?

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Exam mode: 50 questions, 55 minutes.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). Bank checked October 14, 2026.

The real exam, as its certifying body describes it

Questions
165
Time limit
180 minutes
Fee
$420; $300 for ONS or APHON members
Retakes
After the current authorization to test expires; not more than once in a 90-day eligibility period
Scored
145 of the 165 questions; 20 are pretest questions
Passing
A scaled score of 55, on a scale from 25 to 75
Time
The three-hour session includes a 15-minute tutorial and a survey
Results
The same day
Valid for
Four years

Checked October 14, 2026 against ONCC Oncology Certified Nurse page, 2026 OCN Test Content Outline and 2026 ONCC Test Registration Manual, oncc.org. Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

ONCC's own OCN page

Next step NCLEX practice testPCCN practice test

All 50 questions

Care continuum 7

  • A patient asks which lifestyle change does the most to lower the risk of many cancers at once. Which answer fits? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Cancer prevention: take charge of your lifestyle", Quit Smoking and Using Tobacco. Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), I.F Epidemiology.
  • A patient starting chemotherapy for stage III cancer asks if palliative care means stopping treatment. Which answer is correct? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "What is palliative care?". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), I.D Palliative care considerations.
  • A patient with advanced cancer has signed a living will. Which of these can that document not do? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Advance care directives". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), I.E Advance care planning.
  • Colon cancer screening starts at 45 for people at average risk. Who may need to be tested earlier or more often? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Colon cancer screening". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), I.B Screening and early detection.
  • What does a survivorship care plan give a patient who has finished cancer treatment? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Your cancer survivorship care plan". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), I.G.6 Delayed treatment-related considerations.
  • Which statement about hospice care is correct? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Hospice care". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), I.H.2 Hospice care.
  • Which vaccine prevents infection with the virus that causes most cervical cancers? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Cervical cancer - screening and prevention". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), I.A Health promotion and disease prevention.
Show all 50 questions (43 more)

Oncology nursing practice 8

  • A harmful change in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene raises a woman's risk of breast cancer and which other cancer? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene testing". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), II.A.5 Genetic testing.
  • A mutation switches off both copies of a tumor suppressor gene in a cell. Which normal job of that gene is lost? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "tumor suppressor gene". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), II.A.1 Carcinogenesis.
  • A pathology report calls a tumor low grade. What does that say about its cells? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "tumor grade". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), II.B.4 Staging and histological grading.
  • A proto-oncogene is changed so that it becomes more active than normal. What is it now called? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "oncogene". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), II.A.1 Carcinogenesis.
  • By which routes do cancer cells travel to form a metastasis? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "metastasis". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), II.B.3 Common metastatic locations.
  • In the TNM system, what does the N describe? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Understanding cancer staging". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), II.B.4 Staging and histological grading.
  • What does a patient's performance status measure? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "performance status". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), II.B.5 Performance status.
  • What does a phase I clinical trial test? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "phase i clinical trial". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), II.A.3 Clinical trials.

Treatment modalities 10

  • After an allogeneic transplant a patient has a new rash, diarrhea and yellowing of the skin. Which complication does this suggest? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Graft-versus-host disease", Causes; Symptoms. Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), III.B Blood and marrow transplant.
  • An order reads "intravesical" chemotherapy. Where is the drug placed? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "intravesical" and "intrathecal". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), III.E Localized therapy.
  • Hormone therapy for prostate cancer works by lowering or blocking which hormones? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Hormone therapy for prostate cancer". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), III.D Systemic therapy.
  • How does an immune checkpoint inhibitor work against cancer? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "immune checkpoint inhibitor". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), III.D Systemic therapy.
  • How does tamoxifen act against hormone receptor-positive breast cancer? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Hormone therapy for breast cancer". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), III.D Systemic therapy.
  • How is CAR T-cell therapy made for a patient? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "car t cell therapy". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), III.F Targeted therapies.
  • In an autologous stem cell transplant, whose cells are given to the patient? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Bone marrow transplant". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), III.B Blood and marrow transplant.
  • Which skin care instruction is correct for the area being treated with radiation? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Radiation therapy - skin care". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), III.C Radiation therapy.
  • Which treatment places radioactive seeds, ribbons or capsules directly into or near a tumor? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "brachytherapy". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), III.C Radiation therapy.
  • Why does radiation therapy damage cancer cells more than normal cells? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Radiation therapy", Information. Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), III.C Radiation therapy.

Symptom management and supportive care 12

  • A patient had lymph nodes removed from the right armpit and now has lymphedema in that arm. Which precaution applies? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Lymphedema - self-care". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.A Anatomical and surgical alterations.
  • A patient has a low platelet count from chemotherapy. Which instruction lowers the risk of bleeding? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Bleeding during cancer treatment". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.E.1 Hematologic.
  • A patient has painful mouth sores from chemotherapy. Which mouth rinse should be avoided? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Oral mucositis - self-care". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.E.3 Gastrointestinal.
  • A patient on chemotherapy wants to start an herbal supplement. What should the nurse advise? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Integrative medicine for cancer treatment". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.D Complementary and integrative modalities.
  • A patient whose white blood cell count is low after chemotherapy has a fever and chills at home. What should the patient do? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Low white blood cell count and cancer", When to Call the Doctor. Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.E.2 Immunological.
  • A patient with a new ileostomy asks what a healthy stoma looks like. Which answer is correct? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Ileostomy - caring for your stoma". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.A Anatomical and surgical alterations.
  • A patient with cancer pain waits until the pain is severe before taking the prescribed medicine. What should the nurse teach? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Cancer treatment - dealing with pain". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.G Pain management.
  • Radiation to the head and neck often leaves a dry mouth. Which measure helps? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Dry mouth during cancer treatment". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.A Anatomical and surgical alterations.
  • What is an implanted port? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Central venous catheters - ports". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.B Vascular access devices.
  • Which advice helps a patient manage fatigue during cancer treatment? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Coping with cancer - managing fatigue". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.E Alterations in system functioning.
  • Which eating pattern helps a patient with nausea during treatment? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "When you have nausea and vomiting". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.E.3 Gastrointestinal.
  • Which food is unsafe for a patient with a weak immune system during cancer treatment? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Safe eating during cancer treatment". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), IV.F Nutrition.

Oncologic emergencies 8

  • A patient with bone metastases is confused, constipated, very thirsty and passing a lot of urine. Which blood level should be checked? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Hypercalcemia", Causes; Symptoms; Treatment. Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), V.G Hypercalcemia.
  • A patient with lung cancer has swelling of the face, neck and arms and is short of breath. What is the likely cause? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "superior vena cava syndrome". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), V.J Superior vena cava syndrome.
  • A patient with metastatic cancer reports new back pain, leg weakness and loss of bladder control. What should the nurse suspect? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "spinal cord compression". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), V.I Spinal cord compression.
  • After CAR T-cell therapy a patient has fever, a fast heartbeat and low blood pressure. Which condition should be suspected? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "cytokine release syndrome". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), V.O Immune-related adverse events.
  • During an infusion of chemotherapy the site becomes swollen and painful. What does extravasation mean? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "extravasation". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), V.N Extravasations.
  • In which setting is tumor lysis syndrome most likely? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "tumor lysis syndrome". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), V.D Tumor lysis syndrome.
  • What happens in cardiac tamponade? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Cardiac tamponade". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), V.H Cardiac tamponade.
  • Why can a patient with disseminated intravascular coagulation both clot and bleed? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)", Causes. Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), V.A Disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Psychosocial dimensions of care 5

  • A 28-year-old woman will start chemotherapy that may harm her fertility. When should fertility preservation be discussed? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Cancer treatment: fertility and sexual side effects in women". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), VI.H.1 Reproductive issues.
  • A patient asks whether hair lost during chemotherapy will return. Which answer is correct? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Coping with cancer - hair loss", Your New Hair. Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), VI.B Altered body image.
  • A patient returning to work needs a changed schedule because of fatigue from treatment. Which US law requires larger employers to make reasonable accommodations? MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Returning to work after cancer: know your rights", The Americans with Disabilities Act. Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), VI.I.1 Employment.
  • In cancer care, what does the word distress cover? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "distress". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), VI.G.1 Emotional and spiritual distress.
  • What is a cancer support group? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, "support group". Outline: OCN Test Content Outline (2026), VI.F Support.

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the OCN Test Content Outline of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation for 2026 (https://www.oncc.org/sites/default/files/2025-11/2026_OCN_Test_Content_Outline.pdf, linked from https://www.oncc.org/oncology-certified-nurse-ocn, read 2026-10-14). The bank holds 7, 8, 10, 12, 8 and 5 questions in the outline's six areas, close to its weights of 14, 15, 20, 25, 16 and 10 percent. Every fact was read on 2026-10-14 in the public page the question names: the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia of the US National Library of Medicine or the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms of the National Cancer Institute. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free OCN practice test has 50 questions of our own on the test content outline for the Oncology Certified Nurse exam. It is unofficial and not affiliated with the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC).

Read the full guide

What the OCN exam covers

The 2026 outline, read October 14, 2026, has six areas: symptom management and supportive care 25%, treatment modalities 20%, oncologic emergencies 16%, oncology nursing practice 15%, care continuum 14% and psychosocial care 10%. The 50 questions follow those shares.

A study guide for the OCN exam

Used as an OCN certification study guide, each explanation names the National Cancer Institute or MedlinePlus page behind the answer. ONCC says its tests use generic drug names only, and so does this bank.

Pace of the timed OCN practice exam

The timed test asks 50 questions in 55 minutes, close to the real pace.

  • Oncologic emergencies are 16% of the exam: tumor lysis, hypercalcemia, cord compression and superior vena cava syndrome each have a question here.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the OCN exam?

165 multiple-choice questions in a three-hour session, by the 2026 ONCC test registration manual. 145 count toward the score. The other 20 are pretest questions that cannot be told apart.

What score do you need to pass the OCN exam?

ONCC reports a scaled score from 25 to 75, and 55 passes. It is not a percent of right answers, so a number right here says nothing about that score.

Are these OCN practice questions free?

Yes. All 50 free OCN practice test questions are open with no account. ONCC lists its own practice tests and sample questions on its site; none of them is used here.

Who can take the OCN exam?

By the ONCC page: a registered nurse with a current, unencumbered license, two years as an RN and 2,000 hours of adult oncology nursing practice within four years, and 10 oncology contact hours within three years.

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