Caregiver End of Life and Palliative Care

Question 1

What is the primary goal of hospice care?

Accepted Answer

To provide comfort and quality of life for those with a terminal illness and their families

Answer

To cure the underlying terminal illness

Answer

To provide aggressive treatment to extend life as long as possible

Answer

To transfer patients to the hospital for specialized end-of-life treatment

Question 2

Which of the following is a physical sign that death may be approaching within hours to days?

Accepted Answer

Mottled, bluish-purple discoloration of the extremities

Answer

Increased appetite and fluid intake

Answer

Improved alertness and orientation

Answer

Strong, bounding peripheral pulses

Question 3

A resident on hospice is grimacing and appears to be in pain but is no longer able to verbally communicate. What should the caregiver do?

Accepted Answer

Use a behavioral pain scale and notify the nurse about observed signs of pain

Answer

Assume the resident is comfortable since they cannot report pain

Answer

Administer pain medication from the supply at the bedside without a nurse's order

Answer

Wait until the next scheduled nursing assessment to report the observation

Question 4

What does a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order mean for a patient's care?

Accepted Answer

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation will not be attempted if the patient's heart stops or breathing ceases

Answer

No medical treatment should be given to the patient under any circumstances

Answer

The patient should not be transferred to a hospital

Answer

All medications should be stopped immediately

Question 5

Which of the following best describes palliative care compared to hospice care?

Accepted Answer

Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of serious illness

Answer

Palliative care is provided only in the final days of life while hospice is provided for months

Answer

Palliative care and hospice care are identical services with different names

Answer

Palliative care requires a terminal diagnosis with a prognosis of six months or less

Question 6

How should a caregiver support a family member who is grieving at the bedside of a dying resident?

Accepted Answer

Provide a quiet presence, offer tissues or water, and express condolences

Answer

Encourage the family member to leave the room to avoid becoming upset

Answer

Offer to call other family members to replace them at the bedside

Answer

Tell the family member that the resident lived a long life and it is for the best

Question 7

A resident who is actively dying is showing Cheyne-Stokes breathing. What should the caregiver do?

Accepted Answer

Notify the nurse, provide comfort positioning, and remain with the resident

Answer

Administer oxygen immediately via non-rebreather mask

Answer

Position the resident on their back and apply chest compressions

Answer

Wake the resident and encourage them to breathe more regularly

Question 8

Which comfort measure is most appropriate for a hospice resident who has difficulty swallowing in the final days of life?

Accepted Answer

Provide frequent mouth care using swabs and mouth moisturizer

Answer

Insert a nasogastric tube to ensure adequate nutrition

Answer

Force oral fluids to prevent dehydration

Answer

Position the resident upright and encourage eating three meals daily