Adult-Gerontology CNS Test Palliative Care & End-of-Life 2

Question 1

A patient is actively dying and develops noisy breathing due to pooling of secretions. Which medication is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Glycopyrrolate

Answer

Furosemide IV

Answer

Albuterol nebulizer

Answer

Methylprednisolone

Question 2

An actively dying patient has refractory dyspnea unrelieved by oxygen or bronchodilators. What is the most appropriate pharmacological intervention?

Accepted Answer

Low-dose oral morphine

Answer

Lorazepam IV infusion

Answer

High-flow oxygen mask

Answer

Dexamethasone IV

Question 3

Which assessment scale is commonly used to evaluate a dying patient's level of consciousness and alertness at end of life?

Accepted Answer

Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS)

Answer

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

Answer

Palliative Performance Scale (PPS)

Answer

Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)

Question 4

What is palliative sedation (also called terminal sedation)?

Accepted Answer

Reducing consciousness to relieve refractory suffering at end of life

Answer

Administering opioids to hasten death

Answer

Providing sedation for procedural pain in terminally ill patients

Answer

Using anxiolytics to treat anticipatory grief

Question 5

A CNS observes an actively dying patient whose respirations alternate between periods of apnea and rapid, deep breathing. This pattern is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Cheyne-Stokes respirations

Answer

Kussmaul respirations

Answer

Biot's respirations

Answer

Apneustic breathing

Question 6

What is the typical time frame of the 'active dying' phase (the final stage of dying)?

Accepted Answer

Hours to days (usually 24–72 hours)

Answer

Days to weeks

Answer

Weeks to months

Answer

Several hours only

Question 7

Which medication class is considered first-line for treating terminal restlessness and agitation in dying patients?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics (haloperidol)

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

SSRIs

Answer

Calcium channel blockers