CDP End-of-Life Care Planning 3

Question 1

A POLST form differs from a standard advance directive primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Is a physician-signed medical order immediately actionable across care settings

Answer

A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a portable medical order signed by a clinician that is immediately actionable by emergency responders and providers across all care settings.

Question 2

When a person with moderate dementia expresses fear about dying alone, the most therapeutically appropriate response from the dementia practitioner is to:

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the fear, provide reassurance of presence, and document the conversation for care planning

Answer

Validating emotional expression, offering reassurance, and documenting the disclosure supports both therapeutic relationship and person-centered end-of-life planning.

Question 3

Which of the following is a hallmark sign of the active dying phase in a person with advanced dementia?

Accepted Answer

Mottled skin, Cheyne-Stokes breathing, and peripheral cooling

Answer

Mottled skin (livedo reticularis), Cheyne-Stokes (irregular) breathing, and cooling of the extremities are classic physical signs indicating the body is actively shutting down.

Question 4

In the context of dementia end-of-life care, 'terminal secretions' (death rattle) are best managed by:

Accepted Answer

Repositioning to the lateral position and family education

Answer

Repositioning to a side-lying position uses gravity to reduce pooling of secretions, and family education about the benign nature of the sound prevents unnecessary distress.

Question 5

A surrogate decision-maker is applying the 'substituted judgment' standard. This means they are asking:

Accepted Answer

What decision would this person have made based on their known values and wishes?

Answer

Substituted judgment requires the surrogate to set aside their own preferences and decide as the patient would have decided, based on prior expressed values, beliefs, and wishes.

(CDP) Certified Dementia Practitioner Practice Test

(CDP) Certified Dementia Practitioner Practice Test

CDP End-of-Life Care Planning 3