CPHON study guide
CPHON · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON®) credential is a specialty nursing certification administered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC). It is designed for registered nurses whose practice focuses on infants, children, and adolescents with hematologic disorders and cancer - a population with distinct physiology, drug handling, and developmental needs that general oncology certification does not address. The CPHON study guide has 5 sections and about 1,472 words.
01Care of the Pediatric Patient with Hematologic and Oncologic Disorders
Care of the child with a hematologic or oncologic disorder begins with recognizing that pediatric reference ranges, presentations, and priorities differ from adults. Candidates should know how to interpret a complete blood count using age-specific norms, calculate the absolute neutrophil count, and distinguish expected marrow suppression from urgent complications.
303 words, about 2 min02Disease Management and Treatment Modalities
Pediatric cancer treatment is multimodal and protocol-driven. Candidates must understand the purpose of induction, consolidation or intensification, maintenance, and central nervous system prophylaxis in leukemia; surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted agents, immunotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant in solid tumors and lymphomas.
293 words, about 1 min03Supportive Care and Symptom Management
Supportive care is active treatment, not a last resort. Candidates should understand multimodal pain management, scheduled antiemetics, oral care for mucositis, bowel regimens for opioid-induced constipation, nutrition and hydration support, fatigue management, transfusion practice, growth factor use, and prevention of infection.
279 words, about 1 min04Oncologic Emergencies and Complications
Oncologic emergencies are time-critical. Candidates must recognize febrile neutropenia, tumor lysis syndrome, hyperleukocytosis and leukostasis, superior vena cava syndrome, spinal cord compression, increased intracranial pressure, hemorrhage and DIC, anaphylaxis, sepsis, typhlitis, and CAR-T-related cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity.
299 words, about 1 min05Psychosocial, Developmental, and Palliative Care
Psychosocial care is woven through diagnosis, treatment, relapse, survivorship, and end of life. Candidates should understand developmental stages of illness understanding, family systems, sibling needs, school re-entry, fertility preservation, financial and transportation burdens, cultural and spiritual values, and the difference between palliative care and hospice.
298 words, about 1 min