OCN case studies
OCN · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) credential is a specialty certification for registered nurses who care for adults with cancer across the trajectory of illness - from diagnosis and treatment through survivorship or end of life. It is administered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC), an independent certifying body; this page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ONCC. The OCN case studies are 5 cases and about 4,208 words.
1Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Choosing a Regimen When the Barriers Are Not in the Tumor
R is 74 and was diagnosed two weeks ago with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. A biliary stent was placed last week for obstructive jaundice; bilirubin is falling but is still 2.4 mg/dL, albumin is 3.1 g/dL, and his ECOG performance status is 1.
862 words, about 4 min2Carboplatin Order Verification: A Weight and Creatinine That No Longer Match the Patient
L is 52 with stage IIIC ovarian cancer, due for cycle 4 of paclitaxel 175 mg/m² and carboplatin AUC 5. At today's pre-treatment visit her weight is 74.2 kg (baseline 68.0 kg three months ago) with new abdominal distension and 2+ ankle edema.
813 words, about 4 min3Back Pain, Leg Weakness, and an Anticoagulant: Suspected Malignant Spinal Cord Compression
K is 61 with metastatic NSCLC and a 5-day history of mid-thoracic back pain that is now constant and wakes her at night. This morning she reports bilateral leg heaviness and had to strain to urinate; she walked into clinic using a cane for the first time.
876 words, about 4 min4Escalating Morphine in Renal Failure: Twitching, Drowsiness, and Pain Still 7/10
D is 58 with castrate-resistant metastatic prostate cancer and bone metastases, stable on abiraterone, with an eGFR of 24 mL/min/1.73 m². He takes morphine extended-release 30 mg every 12 hours with immediate-release morphine 10 mg every 2 hours as needed, and has averaged 4–5 rescue doses a day for the past two weeks.
815 words, about 4 min5Eight Weeks Postpartum, New Breast Cancer, and 'My Baby Would Be Better Off'
T is 34 and eight weeks postpartum after an uncomplicated delivery. Ten days ago she was diagnosed with stage II, estrogen receptor–positive, HER2-positive breast cancer.
842 words, about 4 min