ACC End-of-Life Care & Palliative Ministry 3

Question 1

The ethical principle of 'double effect' in end-of-life care addresses:

Accepted Answer

Giving medication whose primary intent is to relieve suffering, even if it may secondarily hasten death

Answer

The use of two medications simultaneously to achieve better pain control

Answer

The dual professional roles of a chaplain as both counselor and religious leader

Answer

Situations where two family members have conflicting legal authority over care decisions

Question 2

A chaplain's role in bereavement care after a patient's death most appropriately includes:

Accepted Answer

Following up with families to offer spiritual support and connection to grief resources

Answer

Providing ongoing grief therapy sessions as the primary mental health provider

Answer

Completing official death documentation and notifying the legal next of kin

Answer

Determining clinically whether the family's grief response is pathological

Question 3

'Comfort measures only' (CMO) status in a care setting means:

Accepted Answer

All life-prolonging treatments are withdrawn and care focuses entirely on symptom relief

Answer

The patient receives only minimal care to conserve institutional resources

Answer

Only immediate family members are permitted to provide comfort to the patient

Answer

The patient is transferred to a less intensive outpatient care setting

Question 4

Which of the following best describes 'spiritual pain' at end of life?

Accepted Answer

A loss of meaning, hope, or felt connection that causes profound suffering

Answer

Physical pain that a patient interprets as divine punishment for past wrongdoing

Answer

Conflict between a patient's religious community and their medical care team

Answer

The absence of familiar religious rituals in a clinical care setting

Question 5

When conducting a spiritual history with a dying patient, the FICA tool assesses:

Accepted Answer

Faith, Importance of faith in life, Community, and how to Address faith in care

Answer

Family relationships, Illness history, Cultural practices, and Autonomy preferences

Answer

Forgiveness needs, Identity concerns, Compassion capacity, and Affirmation needs

Answer

Financial concerns, Institutional affiliation, Chaplaincy preferences, and Afterlife beliefs

Question 6

A chaplain notices a dying patient repeatedly says they feel like 'a burden' to their family. The most appropriate response is to:

Accepted Answer

Explore the patient's feelings further and affirm their inherent worth and dignity

Answer

Reassure the patient they are not a burden and redirect to a more positive topic

Answer

Immediately notify the medical team to evaluate the patient for clinical depression

Answer

Encourage the patient to speak with a social worker about the family's financial concerns

Question 7

In end-of-life care, a chaplain's primary ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Respect and support the patient's own spiritual or religious identity and wishes

Answer

Advocate for the chaplain's own religious or theological perspective on dying well

Answer

Ensure the patient's spiritual beliefs align with sound theological principles

Answer

Defer all ethical decisions about care to the hospital ethics committee