AOCNP Palliative Care and Symptom Management 2

Question 1

Which scale is most widely validated for assessing pain intensity in cognitively intact cancer patients?

Accepted Answer

Numeric Rating Scale (NRS 0–10)

Answer

FLACC scale

Answer

CPOT scale

Answer

Wong-Baker FACES scale

Question 2

Palliative sedation is ethically appropriate when:

Accepted Answer

Refractory symptoms cannot be controlled by other means near end of life

Answer

The patient requests euthanasia

Answer

Family members request it without patient consent

Answer

Pain scores exceed 7 at any point in treatment

Question 3

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) measures which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Nine common symptoms including pain, fatigue, and anxiety on a 0–10 scale

Answer

Functional status using a 0–100% scale

Answer

Opioid equianalgesic conversions

Answer

Prognosis using lab values and symptoms

Question 4

Which medication is first-line for neuropathic pain in cancer patients?

Accepted Answer

Gabapentin or pregabalin

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Codeine

Answer

Methadone as monotherapy

Question 5

Opioid rotation is indicated when a patient experiences:

Accepted Answer

Inadequate analgesia or intolerable side effects despite dose optimization

Answer

Any mild side effect within 24 hours

Answer

Only when switching from oral to IV route

Answer

Solely when insurance requires a generic

Question 6

Which statement correctly describes the principle of double effect in palliative care?

Accepted Answer

An action with both a beneficial and harmful effect is permissible if the intent is the beneficial effect

Answer

Any drug that may shorten life is unethical

Answer

Symptom control must be withheld if it may cause respiratory depression

Answer

Only nurses can invoke double effect principles