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100+ Free CON(C) Oncology Practice Questions

Pass your CNA Certification — Oncology Nursing (CON(C)) (Canada) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CON(C) Oncology Exam

165

Exam Questions

Canadian Nurses Association

3 hours

Exam Duration

Canadian Nurses Association

Angoff

Passing Standard

Canadian Nurses Association

$570

CNA Member Fee

Canadian Nurses Association

$756

Non-Member Fee

Canadian Nurses Association

1,950 hrs

Option A practice requirement

Canadian Nurses Association

Prepare for the CNA CON(C) Oncology Nursing exam. The exam features 165 multiple-choice questions, has a 3-hour time limit, and costs $570 CAD for CNA members or $756 CAD for non-members. It tests cancer biology, staging, treatment modalities, supportive care, and clinical ethics.

Sample CON(C) Oncology Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CON(C) Oncology exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to current Canadian screening guidelines, what is the recommended screening frequency for colorectal cancer in an average-risk individual aged 50 to 74?
A.Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) every 2 years
B.Screening colonoscopy every 5 years
C.Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years
D.Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) annually
Explanation: In Canada, average-risk colorectal cancer screening is recommended for individuals aged 50-74 using a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) every 2 years. If the FIT is positive, the individual is then referred for a diagnostic colonoscopy. Screening colonoscopies are not recommended for screening average-risk asymptomatic individuals in Canada.
2A 45-year-old female patient asks about the Canadian screening recommendations for cervical cancer. If the patient has always had normal Pap tests, which of the following represents the standard recommendation in most Canadian provinces?
A.Cervical cytology (Pap test) every 3 years
B.HPV primary screening every 5 years starting at age 25
C.Pap test combined with HPV co-testing annually
D.Pap test every 2 years starting at age 30
Explanation: Standard cervical cancer screening in most Canadian provinces consists of a liquid-based or conventional Pap test every 3 years starting at age 25 (or 21, depending on provincial guidelines) until age 69, provided prior tests have been normal. Several provinces are actively transitioning to primary HPV screening every 5 years, but the established baseline remains the cytology-based screening every 3 years.
3Which of the following patients meets the eligibility criteria for organized lung cancer screening in Canada?
A.A 62-year-old active smoker with a 35 pack-year smoking history.
B.A 48-year-old former smoker with a 20 pack-year history who quit 5 years ago.
C.A 72-year-old non-smoker who lived with a heavy smoker for 40 years.
D.A 50-year-old active smoker with a 15 pack-year history and family history of lung cancer.
Explanation: In Canada, organized lung cancer screening programs target individuals aged 55 to 74 who are high-risk screen-eligible. Eligibility requires a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years, and being either a current smoker or a former smoker who quit within the past 15 years. The screening modality used is low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) annually.
4An oncology nurse is teaching a community group about primary cancer prevention. Which of the following recommendations represents a primary prevention strategy?
A.Receiving the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series
B.Undergoing annual mammography after the age of 40
C.Obtaining a screening low-dose CT scan for lung cancer
D.Performing monthly skin self-examinations for atypical moles
Explanation: Primary prevention refers to interventions that prevent the onset of cancer before disease process begins (e.g., vaccination, tobacco cessation, sun protection). Receiving the HPV vaccine protects against oncogenic HPV strains that cause cervical, anal, and head/neck cancers, representing primary prevention.
5A 32-year-old female presents with a strong family history of breast cancer. Which of the following features in her family pedigree would most strongly warrant a referral for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) genetic counseling?
A.A maternal aunt diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at age 42
B.A paternal grandmother diagnosed with postmenopausal breast cancer at age 68
C.A maternal cousin diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) at age 55
D.Two paternal aunts diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer in their late 70s
Explanation: Referral for genetic counseling for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) is indicated when there are red flags such as breast cancer diagnosed at a young age (<50), triple-negative breast cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer, male breast cancer, or multiple relatives on the same side of the family with related cancers. An aunt diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at age 42 meets these criteria.
6According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Canadian cancer statistics, which of the following is considered a modifiable lifestyle risk factor directly linked to an increased risk of breast, colorectal, and esophageal cancers?
A.Alcohol consumption
B.High dietary fiber intake
C.Physical activity
D.Exposure to radon
Explanation: Alcohol consumption is a well-established, modifiable carcinogen that is directly linked to an increased risk of several cancers, including cancers of the breast, colon and rectum, esophagus, liver, mouth, and throat. There is no safe level of alcohol consumption regarding cancer risk.
7Which statement best describes the current consensus regarding prostate cancer screening with Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) in Canada?
A.Routine population-wide screening is not recommended; testing should be based on shared decision-making for men aged 50-69.
B.Annual PSA testing is mandatory for all Canadian men starting at age 40.
C.PSA screening should be performed every 5 years for all men aged 70 and older.
D.Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) has replaced the PSA test as the primary screening tool.
Explanation: The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends against routine population-wide screening for prostate cancer using the PSA test. Instead, clinicians should engage in shared decision-making with men aged 50-69, discussing the potential small reduction in mortality versus the significant risks of false positives, overdiagnosis, and treatment complications (impotence, incontinence).
8For a female patient who is a confirmed carrier of the BRCA1 gene mutation, what breast cancer screening regimen is typically recommended in Canada starting at age 30?
A.Annual mammography and annual breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
B.Annual mammography only
C.Screening breast ultrasound every 6 months
D.Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy as the only screening alternative
Explanation: For high-risk individuals, such as BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, Canadian guidelines recommend enhanced surveillance consisting of annual mammography and annual screening breast MRI (typically alternating every 6 months or performed concurrently) starting at age 30. Breast MRI is highly sensitive and helps detect early-stage cancers in dense breast tissue.
9A patient has been diagnosed with a T2N1M0 adenocarcinoma of the colon. What does this TNM staging indicate about the patient's cancer?
A.The tumor has invaded the muscularis propria, there is regional lymph node involvement, and no distant metastasis is present.
B.The tumor is superficial, regional lymph nodes are negative, and there is one distant metastasis in the liver.
C.The tumor is in situ, there is regional lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis cannot be assessed.
D.The primary tumor cannot be assessed, there are multiple positive lymph nodes, and no metastasis exists.
Explanation: The TNM staging system describes the extent of cancer. T2 indicates a primary tumor that has grown into the muscularis propria. N1 indicates involvement of 1 to 3 regional lymph nodes. M0 indicates that there is no evidence of distant metastasis.
10Which diagnostic procedure is considered the gold standard for obtaining a tissue specimen that preserves the histological architecture of a suspected solid tumor without removing the entire organ?
A.Core needle biopsy
B.Fine needle aspiration (FNA)
C.Excisional biopsy
D.Exfoliative cytology
Explanation: A core needle biopsy removes a small cylinder of tissue (a 'core') using a hollow needle. This method obtains a sufficient tissue specimen to preserve histological architecture (structure, grading, and receptor status), unlike fine needle aspiration, which only collects individual cells.

About the CON(C) Oncology Exam

The Certified in Oncology Nursing (Canada) — CON(C) credential is the recognized national standard for oncology nursing excellence. It validates the specialized knowledge, clinical judgment, and skills of registered nurses caring for cancer patients across the disease continuum, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, symptom management, supportive care, and ethical practice.

Assessment

165 multiple-choice questions (CBT, closed book)

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Determined via modified Angoff method (typically ~70%)

Exam Fee

$588 CAD (CNA member) / $780 CAD (non-member) application fee, plus $85 online (ProctorU) or $110 in-person writing appointment fee; rewrite $378 (member) / $500 (non-member). Applicable taxes extra. (Canadian Nurses Association (CNA))

CON(C) Oncology Exam Content Outline

8%

Prevention, Early Detection and Screening

Cancer prevention, screening guidelines, modifiable risk factors, and genetic counseling referral criteria.

8%

Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer

TNM staging classification, biopsy types, tumor markers, imaging modalities, and pathologic staging.

14%

Knowledge of Cancer Diseases

Cancer pathophysiology, solid tumors, hematologic malignancies, tumor biology, and paraneoplastic syndromes.

22%

Treatment Modalities

Chemotherapy principles, radiation therapy (external/brachytherapy), immunotherapy, targeted therapies, hormone therapy, and CAR T-cell therapy.

22%

Symptom and Treatment Management

Management of myelosuppression, CINV, pain, immunotherapy adverse events, and oncologic emergencies (TLS, SCC, SVC, hypercalcemia).

12%

Supportive Care

Palliative and end-of-life care, psychosocial distress screening, survivorship care plans, cultural safety, and fatigue management.

7%

Continuity of Care

Discharge planning, transitions of care, home enteral/parenteral nutrition, rehabilitation, and lymphedema management.

7%

Ethics, Legal Obligations and Research

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) regulations, informed consent, clinical trial phases, and evidence-based practice guidelines.

How to Pass the CON(C) Oncology Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Determined via modified Angoff method (typically ~70%)
  • Assessment: 165 multiple-choice questions (CBT, closed book)
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam fee: $588 CAD (CNA member) / $780 CAD (non-member) application fee, plus $85 online (ProctorU) or $110 in-person writing appointment fee; rewrite $378 (member) / $500 (non-member). Applicable taxes extra.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CON(C) Oncology Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus heavily on systemic therapies (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy) and their side effects, which represent a large portion of the exam.
2Understand how to identify and immediately manage oncologic emergencies (Tumor Lysis Syndrome, Spinal Cord Compression, Neutropenic Fever, and Hypercalcemia of Malignancy).
3Familiarize yourself with standard Canadian screening guidelines (colon, cervical, breast, lung) and high-risk screening criteria.
4Review palliative care principles, symptom assessment tools (such as ESAS - Edmonton Symptom Assessment System), and ethical topics including Canadian MAID legislation.
5Use SI units for lab values (e.g., hemoglobin in g/L, neutrophils in x10^9/L) as they are the standard formatting for Canadian exams.
6Review the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) standards and epidemiological patterns of major cancer types in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the CNA CON(C) exam?

The passing score for the Certified in Oncology Nursing (Canada) — CON(C) exam is determined by a panel of oncology nursing experts using a modified Angoff method. It varies slightly per exam version but is typically equivalent to a percentage score of approximately 70%.

How many questions are on the CON(C) exam, and what is the duration?

The exam consists of 165 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are given 3 hours (180 minutes) to complete the test, which is administered as a closed-book, computer-based exam.

What are the fees for the CNA Oncology Nursing certification?

As of the 2026 guidelines, the initial application fee is $570 CAD for CNA members and $756 CAD for non-members. In addition, there is an exam proctoring fee paid at the time of booking: $85 CAD for online proctored exams (ProctorU) or $110 CAD for in-person testing centers (Meazure Learning).

What are the eligibility requirements to write the CON(C) exam?

Candidates must hold an active registered nurse (RN) license in Canada and meet one of two pathways: Option A requires at least 1,950 hours of oncology nursing practice within the last 5 years. Option B requires at least 1,000 hours of oncology nursing practice within the last 5 years, plus a post-basic specialty course in oncology nursing (minimum 300 hours) completed within the last 10 years.

Are there any study supports or preparation groups available?

Yes. The de Souza Institute in Ontario offers a comprehensive CNA Oncology Exam Study Group that aligns with the official CNA competencies and blueprint. Many provincial health authorities and cancer care centers also provide bursaries and study guides.

Is the CON(C) exam open book?

No. The exam is a closed-book, computer-based test written under secure proctored conditions, either online via ProctorU or in-person at a Meazure Learning test center.