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

Question 1

What is the primary goal of palliative care for an adult-gerontology patient with a serious illness?

Accepted Answer

Relieve suffering and improve quality of life

Answer

Palliative care focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness, regardless of prognosis or curative treatment status.

Question 2

A CNS is selecting a tool to assess overall symptom burden in an older adult receiving palliative care. Which instrument is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)

Answer

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) is a validated, widely used tool specifically designed to assess multiple symptoms (pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, etc.) in palliative care populations.

Question 3

Which medication is the recommended first-line opioid for moderate-to-severe cancer pain in palliative care?

Accepted Answer

Morphine

Answer

Morphine is the WHO-recommended first-line opioid for moderate-to-severe cancer pain and is the gold standard in palliative care analgesia.

Question 4

A patient with terminal cancer has a signed DNR order. Which ethical principle is most directly upheld by honoring this order?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Honoring a DNR order respects the patient's right to self-determination (autonomy), allowing them to refuse unwanted life-sustaining interventions.

Question 5

To be eligible for hospice care under Medicare, a patient's prognosis must be:

Accepted Answer

Less than 6 months if the disease runs its natural course

Answer

Medicare hospice benefit requires certification by two physicians that the patient has a terminal prognosis of 6 months or less if the illness runs its expected course.

Adult-Gerontology CNS Test Practice Test

Adult-Gerontology CNS Test Practice Test

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