Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Nursing Practice Test

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How does cancer primarily contribute to SVCS?

  1. By causing hypertension

  2. By compressing or obstructing the Superior Vena Cava

  3. By increasing blood viscosity

  4. By increasing heart rate

The correct answer is: By compressing or obstructing the Superior Vena Cava

Cancer primarily contributes to Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVCS) by compressing or obstructing the Superior Vena Cava. The Superior Vena Cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, upper torso, and arms back to the heart. Tumors, particularly those in the mediastinum (the central compartment of the thoracic cavity), can grow large enough to exert pressure on the SVC, leading to its obstruction. This obstruction prevents normal blood flow and causes a range of symptoms associated with SVCS, including swelling of the face and neck, headaches, and respiratory distress. While other factors such as hypertension, blood viscosity, or heart rate changes can have cardiovascular implications, they are not direct contributors to the development of SVCS in the context of cancer. SVCS is specifically characterized by the physical blockage of the venous return to the heart due to external compression from tumors, making this choice the most accurate representation of cancer's role in this syndrome.

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