CON(C) Oncology study guide
CON(C) Oncology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
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. The CON(C) Oncology study guide has 9 sections and about 2,630 words.
01Roles and Responsibilities of the Oncology Nurse
The oncology nurse moves between direct care, care coordination, education, advocacy, and research roles. Know the difference between the registered nurse scope , advanced practice roles (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist), and delegated tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel.
287 words, about 1 min02Health Promotion and Prevention of Cancer
Primary prevention targets modifiable risk: tobacco, alcohol, obesity, physical inactivity, ultraviolet exposure, occupational carcinogens, and oncogenic infections (HPV, hepatitis B and C, H. Secondary prevention is screening: mammography, cervical cytology and HPV testing, colorectal screening, low-dose CT for high-risk smokers, and prostate discussion-based screening.
264 words, about 1 min03Cancer Biology
Cancer arises from accumulated genetic and epigenetic changes producing uncontrolled proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, replicative immortality, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Understand oncogenes (gain of function, e.g., HER2, RAS, MYC), tumor suppressor genes (loss of function, e.g., TP53, BRCA1/2, RB), and DNA mismatch repair defects.
265 words, about 1 min04Diagnosis, Staging and Treatment Modalities
Diagnosis rests on history, imaging, and tissue biopsy with pathology and molecular testing. Staging describes anatomic extent (TNM) and often incorporates stage grouping plus prognostic and molecular features.
262 words, about 1 min05Symptom Management and Supportive Care
Use a structured assessment (onset, character, severity, impact, associated symptoms) and treat causes before escalating drugs. Know the pillars: antiemetics matched to emetogenic risk (5-HT3 antagonist, NK1 antagonist, dexamethasone, olanzapine, dopamine antagonists), pain management by the analgesic ladder, bowel regimens with opioids, mucositis care, fatigue as a diagnosis of exclusion, and growth factor support for febrile neutropenia risk.
258 words, about 1 min06Oncologic Emergencies and Complications of Cancer and Treatment
Recognize and act early on febrile neutropenia, tumor lysis syndrome, hypercalcemia, superior vena cava syndrome, spinal cord compression, increased intracranial pressure, sepsis, extravasation, anaphylaxis, and immune-related adverse events. Each has a signature presentation and time course.
275 words, about 1 min07Psychosocial, Spiritual and Cultural Care
Screen for distress, depression, anxiety, and spiritual need as part of routine care. Understand the difference between distress (a normal response spectrum) and a psychiatric disorder.
250 words, about 1 min08Palliative, End-of-Life and Survivorship Care
Palliative care improves quality of life alongside curative treatment; hospice care is for people with a limited prognosis who forgo disease-directed therapy. Know symptom management at end of life (pain, dyspnea, secretions, agitation, anorexia), advance care planning, and the difference between withdrawing and withholding treatment.
258 words, about 1 min09Professional Practice, Ethics, Safety and Quality Improvement
Ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, veracity, and fidelity. Apply informed consent, confidentiality, capacity assessment, and conflict-of-interest awareness.
511 words, about 3 min