End of Life and Palliative Care Flashcards
8 cards from real CAREGIVER practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 8 End of Life and Palliative Care flashcards as text
Which of the following is a sign that a hospice resident has entered the active dying phase?
Answer: Irregular breathing with long pauses (Cheyne-Stokes)
Cheyne-Stokes breathing, characterized by irregular breathing with periods of apnea, is a hallmark sign that a person has entered the active dying phase.
A dying resident's family asks to perform a specific religious ritual at the bedside. How should the caregiver respond?
Answer: Accommodate the request to the extent possible and notify the nurse or social worker
Accommodating religious and cultural practices at end of life is a fundamental component of person-centered, dignified care.
What does the term 'comfort measures only' mean in a resident's care plan?
Answer: Care is focused on relieving symptoms and maximizing comfort without curative or life-prolonging interventions
Comfort measures only means care is directed at symptom relief and quality of life, without interventions aimed at curing disease or extending life.
How should a caregiver respond when a dying resident says, 'I'm not afraid to die. I just don't want to be alone'?
Answer: Express empathy and ensure the resident has company as much as possible, including calling family
Acknowledging the resident's fear of dying alone and taking action to ensure their companionship is a direct, compassionate, and person-centered response.
A resident enrolled in hospice is prescribed liquid morphine for pain. The caregiver observes the medication at the bedside. What should the caregiver do?
Answer: Report the medication's presence to the nurse but do not administer it
Medication administration is outside the scope of practice of a caregiver. The caregiver should notify the nurse who is responsible for administering and managing medications.
Which of the following statements best reflects the philosophy of palliative care regarding life extension?
Answer: Palliative care neither hastens nor postpones death but focuses on quality of life
Palliative care aims to improve quality of life and neither intentionally hastens nor postpones death.
A resident's family becomes angry and confrontational with the care team, saying 'You're not doing enough for my mother.' How should the caregiver respond?
Answer: Acknowledge the family's distress, listen without judgment, and offer to involve the nurse or social worker
Acknowledging the family's distress and offering to involve appropriate team members is a de-escalating, supportive, and professional response.
What is the role of the interdisciplinary team in hospice care?
Answer: Team members with different expertise collaborate to address all aspects of the patient's and family's needs
The interdisciplinary team approach in hospice ensures that physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs are all addressed through coordinated collaborative care.