OCN Exam Content Outline Explained

I. Care Continuum (14%)

• Health promotion and disease prevention
• Screening and early detection
• Navigation and coordination of care
• Palliative care considerations
• Advance care planning
• Epidemiology
• Survivorship
• End-of-life care

Practice: The Care Continuum questions

II. Oncology Nursing Practice (15%)

• Scientific basis (carcinogenesis, immunology, clinical trials, genomic and genetic testing)
• Site-specific cancer considerations (pathophysiology, diagnostics, metastatic sites, staging, performance status)
• Scope and standards of professional practice

Practice: Oncology Nursing Foundations questions

III. Treatment Modalities (20%)

• Surgical and procedural interventions
• Blood and marrow transplant
• Radiation therapy
• Systemic therapy
• Localized therapy
• Targeted therapies
• Oral therapies

Practice: Surgical and Radiation Oncology questions, Systemic Therapies questions

IV. Symptom Management and Supportive Care (25%)

• Anatomical and surgical alterations
• Vascular access devices
• Pharmacologic interventions
• Complementary and integrative modalities
• Alterations in system functioning
• Nutrition
• Pain management

Practice: Pain, Fatigue and GI Symptoms questions, Hematologic and Skin Toxicities questions

V. Oncologic Emergencies (16%)

• DIC
• SIADH
• Sepsis
• Tumor lysis syndrome
• Hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis
• Hypercalcemia
• Cardiac tamponade
• Spinal cord compression
• Superior vena cava syndrome
• Increased intracranial pressure
• Obstructions, pneumonitis, extravasation
• Immune-related adverse events
• Venous thromboembolism

Practice: Oncologic Emergencies questions

VI. Psychosocial Dimensions of Care (10%)

• Cultural, spiritual and religious diversity
• Altered body image
• Learning preferences and barriers
• Social and family dynamics
• Coping mechanisms
• Support for patients and caregivers
• Psychosocial distress