CON(C) Oncology case studies
CON(C) Oncology · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The CON(C) designation is a Canadian certification for registered nurses who practise in oncology. It signals that a nurse has met a national standard of knowledge across the cancer care continuum, from prevention and screening through diagnosis, active treatment, survivorship and palliative care. Candidates are typically RNs with oncology experience who want their specialty competence recognized, whether they work on inpatient units, ambulatory clinics, radiation suites, chemotherapy day units or community programs. The exam is multiple choice and samples broadly rather than deeply: roles and responsibilities, health promotion, cancer biology and treatment modalities, symptom management and supportive care, oncologic emergencies, psychosocial and spiritual care, palliative and survivorship care, professional practice and safety, and patient education and shared decision-making. The CON(C) Oncology case studies are 5 cases and about 2,640 words.
1The Neutropenic Fever That Isn't Obvious
L, 68, is on day 9 of adjuvant FOLFOX for stage III colon cancer. He calls the clinic at 09:15 reporting two days of watery diarrhea (6-8 stools/day) and feeling 'washed out.' He has no thermometer at home.
597 words, about 3 min2When the Family Wants 'Everything'
O, 74, has metastatic pancreatic cancer with malignant ascites and a prognosis of weeks. In a family meeting, her two adult children insist she 'fight' and receive a third line of chemotherapy; they say she 'isn't herself' and shouldn't be asked to decide.
559 words, about 3 min3Extravasation at the Elbow
R, 52, is receiving peripheral IV doxorubicin for breast cancer via a 22-gauge catheter in the right antecubital fossa. Twenty minutes in, she reports burning at the site.
493 words, about 2 min4The Patient Who Cannot Read His Plan
K, 61, has limited English literacy and newly diagnosed stage II non-small cell lung cancer. He speaks English conversationally but cannot read the written chemotherapy schedule, consent form, or symptom-management handout.
465 words, about 2 min5The Last-Minute Fertility Question
T, 29, is nulliparous and newly diagnosed with early breast cancer. She is scheduled for surgery in 6 days and adjuvant chemotherapy will follow within 4 weeks.
526 words, about 3 min