Chemotherapy Practice Exam Questions and Answers

Chemotherapy Practice Exam Questions and Answers

 

Chemotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, targeting rapidly dividing cells. To excel in chemotherapy exams, it’s essential to grasp the mechanisms, classifications, and side effects of these drugs. Here’s a quick guide to help you prepare effectively.

 

Understand the Basics

• Cell Cycle Phases: Know which drugs target specific phases (e.g., S phase: Methotrexate, G2-M phase: Bleomycin).
• Cancer Biology: Learn how chemotherapy exploits the differences between cancerous and normal cells.

 

Major Drug Classes

• Alkylating Agents: Cyclophosphamide, Cisplatin
• Antimetabolites: Methotrexate, 5-Fluorouracil
• Natural Products: Vincristine, Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin
• Targeted Therapy: Imatinib, Trastuzumab
• Hormonal Agents: Tamoxifen, Anastrozole

 

Mechanisms of Action

• Focus on how drugs interfere with DNA replication, mitosis, or specific signaling pathways (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors).

 

Adverse Effects

• Common Toxicities: Nausea, myelosuppression, alopecia.
• Organ-Specific Effects: Nephrotoxicity (Cisplatin), cardiotoxicity (Doxorubicin).

 

Clinical Applications

• Identify drugs used for specific cancers (e.g., Tamoxifen for breast cancer, Cisplatin for testicular cancer).

 

Practice Questions

• Questions often test mechanisms, adverse effects, and clinical scenarios.
• Example:
  “Which chemotherapeutic agent causes dose-limiting cardiotoxicity?”
  (Answer: Doxorubicin)

 

Study Tips

• Use mnemonics for side effects (e.g., Cisplatin → C for ears → ototoxicity).
• Practice with reliable question banks, such as those on examsage.com.

 

Practice Questions and Answers to Prepare Chemotherapy Exam

 

1. What is the mechanism of action of cyclophosphamide?

A) Inhibition of topoisomerase
B) DNA alkylation
C) Microtubule disruption
D) Folate antagonism
Answer: B) DNA alkylation
Explanation: Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that works by adding alkyl groups to DNA, leading to DNA damage and cell death.

 

2. Which drug is commonly used for treating ovarian cancer?

A) Methotrexate
B) Cisplatin
C) Doxorubicin
D) Fluorouracil
Answer: B) Cisplatin
Explanation: Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug that is widely used to treat ovarian cancer.

3. What is the main dose-limiting side effect of doxorubicin?

A) Nausea
B) Cardiomyopathy
C) Neutropenia
D) Hepatotoxicity
Answer: B) Cardiomyopathy
Explanation: Doxorubicin is known to cause dose-dependent cardiomyopathy, which limits its use.

4. Which chemotherapy agent causes peripheral neuropathy as a common side effect?

A) Paclitaxel
B) Methotrexate
C) Cyclophosphamide
D) Vincristine
Answer: D) Vincristine
Explanation: Vincristine is a vinca alkaloid that commonly causes peripheral neuropathy.

5. Which of the following is a common side effect of methotrexate?

A) Renal failure
B) Bone marrow suppression
C) Hepatotoxicity
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Methotrexate can cause renal failure, bone marrow suppression, and hepatotoxicity, among other side effects.

 

What is the mechanism of action of taxanes like paclitaxel?

A) Inhibition of topoisomerase
B) Microtubule stabilization
C) DNA alkylation
D) Folate antagonism

7. Which chemotherapy drug is classified as a topoisomerase II inhibitor?

A) Doxorubicin
B) Paclitaxel
C) Methotrexate
D) Cisplatin

8. What is the role of G-CSF (Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor) in chemotherapy?

A) Increase platelet count
B) Stimulate red blood cell production
C) Promote white blood cell recovery
D) Prevent nausea

9. Which drug is used to prevent nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients?

A) Ondansetron
B) Methotrexate
C) Cisplatin
D) Vincristine

10. Which of the following is a hallmark side effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)?

A) Neutropenia
B) Mucositis
C) Pulmonary fibrosis
D) Cardiotoxicity

11. Which type of chemotherapy drug is paclitaxel?

A) Alkylating agent
B) Antimetabolite
C) Vinca alkaloid
D) Taxane

 

12. Which of the following drugs is a common treatment for leukemia?

A) Methotrexate
B) Vincristine
C) Asparaginase
D) All of the above

13. What is the mechanism of action of fluorouracil (5-FU)?

A) Inhibition of folic acid synthesis
B) DNA alkylation
C) Inhibition of thymidylate synthase
D) Microtubule stabilization

14. Which drug can be used to rescue normal cells from methotrexate toxicity?

A) Leucovorin
B) G-CSF
C) Filgrastim
D) N-acetylcysteine

15. What is a common side effect of cisplatin?

A) Ototoxicity
B) Bone marrow suppression
C) Alopecia
D) Cardiomyopathy

16. Which of the following chemotherapy agents can cause hemorrhagic cystitis?

A) Cyclophosphamide
B) Methotrexate
C) Doxorubicin
D) Vincristine

17. Which chemotherapy drug is commonly used for breast cancer treatment?

A) Methotrexate
B) Tamoxifen
C) Bleomycin
D) Cisplatin

18. What is the primary action of vincristine?

A) DNA alkylation
B) Inhibition of microtubule polymerization
C) Inhibition of topoisomerase
D) Antagonism of folate

19. Which of the following is a risk factor for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity?

A) Concurrent use of anthracyclines and trastuzumab
B) High-dose cyclophosphamide
C) Preexisting heart disease
D) All of the above

20. Which drug is used as a chemoprotective agent against anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity?

A) Dexrazoxane
B) Leucovorin
C) N-acetylcysteine
D) G-CSF

 

21. What is the primary mechanism of action of methotrexate?

A) Inhibition of topoisomerase
B) Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase
C) Microtubule stabilization
D) DNA alkylation

22. Which chemotherapy drug is commonly used for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?

A) Methotrexate
B) Paclitaxel
C) Bleomycin
D) Vinblastine

23. What is the mechanism of action of irinotecan?

A) Inhibition of topoisomerase I
B) Inhibition of microtubules
C) DNA alkylation
D) Inhibition of thymidylate synthase

24. What is a common side effect of paclitaxel?

A) Nephrotoxicity
B) Neuropathy
C) Pulmonary fibrosis
D) Ototoxicity

25. What is the purpose of using corticosteroids during chemotherapy?

A) To reduce inflammation and improve appetite
B) To promote cancer cell death
C) To decrease bone marrow suppression
D) To enhance drug absorption

26. Which chemotherapy drug class does vincristine belong to?

A) Alkylating agents
B) Antimetabolites
C) Vinca alkaloids
D) Platinum analogs

27. What is the most common side effect of cisplatin?

A) Neutropenia
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Alopecia
D) Diarrhea

28. Which chemotherapy drug causes pulmonary fibrosis as a side effect?

A) Doxorubicin
B) Bleomycin
C) Methotrexate
D) Cyclophosphamide

29. Which of the following is a mechanism of resistance to chemotherapy?

A) Increased drug efflux
B) Drug inactivation
C) Altered drug target
D) All of the above

30. Which of the following agents is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women?

A) Anastrozole
B) Tamoxifen
C) Cyclophosphamide
D) Methotrexate

31. Which chemotherapy drug is known for causing hand-foot syndrome?

A) Doxorubicin
B) 5-fluorouracil
C) Paclitaxel
D) Capecitabine

32. Which drug is used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer?

A) Tamoxifen
B) Trastuzumab
C) Methotrexate
D) Cisplatin

33. Which of the following is an example of a targeted therapy in chemotherapy?

A) Methotrexate
B) Bevacizumab
C) Doxorubicin
D) Paclitaxel

 

34. Which chemotherapy drug is most likely to cause severe anemia?

A) Methotrexate
B) Paclitaxel
C) Cyclophosphamide
D) Cisplatin

35. What is the main adverse effect of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP)?

A) Hepatotoxicity
B) Pulmonary fibrosis
C) Severe nausea and vomiting
D) Peripheral neuropathy

36. Which of the following is a late effect of chemotherapy?

A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Hair loss
C) Secondary malignancy
D) Myelosuppression

37. What is the first-line treatment for metastatic testicular cancer?

A) Methotrexate
B) BEP (Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin) regimen
C) Paclitaxel
D) Tamoxifen

38. Which chemotherapy agent is used in the treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

A) Vincristine
B) Doxorubicin
C) Bleomycin
D) All of the above

39. Which chemotherapy drug can cause the side effect of ‘red urine’?

A) Cyclophosphamide
B) Doxorubicin
C) Methotrexate
D) Paclitaxel

40. Which of the following drugs can be used to treat advanced colorectal cancer?

A) Cetuximab
B) Paclitaxel
C) Vincristine
D) Tamoxifen
Answer: A) Cetuximab
Explanation: Cetuximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor used in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.

 

41. What is the primary use of rituximab in chemotherapy?

A) Treat breast cancer
B) Treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma
C) Prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea
D) Treat ovarian cancer

42. Which of the following agents is a monoclonal antibody used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer?

A) Trastuzumab
B) Methotrexate
C) Cyclophosphamide
D) Bleomycin

43. Which class of drugs does etoposide belong to?

A) Antimetabolites
B) Topoisomerase II inhibitors
C) Platinum analogs
D) Vinca alkaloids

44. What is the role of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in chemotherapy?

A) Enhance drug efficacy
B) Stimulate red blood cell production
C) Prevent alopecia
D) Stimulate white blood cell production

45. Which of the following is a risk factor for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)?

A) High emetogenic chemotherapy agents
B) Female gender
C) History of motion sickness
D) All of the above

46. Which chemotherapy drug can cause “chemo brain,” characterized by memory loss and difficulty concentrating?

A) Cyclophosphamide
B) Methotrexate
C) Doxorubicin
D) All of the above

 

47. What is the standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer?

A) Chemotherapy alone
B) Chemotherapy and radiation
C) Surgery and radiation
D) Surgery and hormone therapy

48. Which of the following is used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)?

A) Doxorubicin
B) Cytarabine
C) Methotrexate
D) Vincristine

49. Which chemotherapy drug is a folate antagonist?

A) Methotrexate
B) 5-fluorouracil
C) Paclitaxel
D) Vincristine

50. Which of the following chemotherapy agents can cause severe myelosuppression?

A) Cyclophosphamide
B) Doxorubicin
C) Methotrexate
D) All of the above

 

51. Which of the following is a common side effect of cyclophosphamide?

A) Cardiotoxicity
B) Hemorrhagic cystitis
C) Ototoxicity
D) Nephrotoxicity

52. What is the mechanism of action of gemcitabine?

A) Inhibition of microtubules
B) Inhibition of DNA polymerase
C) DNA incorporation and chain termination
D) Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase

53. Which chemotherapy agent is commonly associated with nephrotoxicity?

A) Doxorubicin
B) Cyclophosphamide
C) Cisplatin
D) Methotrexate

54. Which of the following drugs is used as a chemoprotectant against cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis?

A) Mesna
B) Granisetron
C) Filgrastim
D) Leucovorin

55. Which of the following is used in the treatment of ovarian cancer?

A) Paclitaxel and carboplatin
B) Vincristine and methotrexate
C) Cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin
D) Tamoxifen and letrozole

 

56. Which of the following is a common side effect of methotrexate?

A) Hair loss
B) Hepatotoxicity
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Ototoxicity

57. Which chemotherapy agent is most likely to cause cardiotoxicity?

A) Doxorubicin
B) Paclitaxel
C) Methotrexate
D) Cyclophosphamide

 

58. Which chemotherapy drug is a major cause of peripheral neuropathy?

A) Vincristine
B) 5-Fluorouracil
C) Doxorubicin
D) Cisplatin

59. What is the role of leucovorin in chemotherapy?

A) To enhance the effect of methotrexate
B) To prevent hemorrhagic cystitis
C) To reverse the toxicity of 5-fluorouracil
D) To stimulate white blood cell production

60. Which of the following drugs is most effective against Hodgkin lymphoma?

A) Cyclophosphamide
B) Rituximab
C) ABVD regimen (Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine)
D) Capecitabine

61. Which drug is used to treat chemotherapy-induced anemia?

A) Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA)
B) Mesna
C) G-CSF
D) Allopurinol

62. What is the primary use of topotecan?

A) Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer
B) Treatment of ovarian cancer
C) Treatment of small cell lung cancer
D) Treatment of testicular cancer

63. Which chemotherapy agent is a platinum-based drug?

A) Cyclophosphamide
B) Cisplatin
C) Doxorubicin
D) Methotrexate

64. Which chemotherapy drug is associated with a risk of fetal harm and should be avoided in pregnancy?

A) Methotrexate
B) Vincristine
C) Doxorubicin
D) Paclitaxel

65. Which drug is commonly used to treat advanced melanoma?

A) Pembrolizumab
B) Methotrexate
C) Doxorubicin
D) Rituximab

66. Which of the following drugs can cause myelosuppression?

A) 5-Fluorouracil
B) Methotrexate
C) Vincristine
D) All of the above

67. Which of the following is the primary treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)?

A) Imatinib (Gleevec)
B) Cyclophosphamide
C) Methotrexate
D) Rituximab

68. What is the purpose of using filgrastim during chemotherapy?

A) To treat anemia
B) To stimulate white blood cell production
C) To prevent nausea and vomiting
D) To treat neuropathy

 

69. Which chemotherapy drug is associated with causing significant alopecia (hair loss)?

A) Methotrexate
B) Cyclophosphamide
C) Paclitaxel
D) Capecitabine

70. Which chemotherapy drug is often used in combination with rituximab for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

A) Doxorubicin
B) Cyclophosphamide
C) Methotrexate
D) Paclitaxel

 

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