CHPN CHPN - Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Education, Support, and Advocacy Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A hospice nurse is educating a family about the signs of imminent death. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate information to include?

Accepted Answer

Mottling of the skin and changes in breathing patterns are expected

Answer

The patient will likely experience increased appetite in the final hours

Answer

The patient should be repositioned every hour to prevent pressure ulcers

Answer

Intravenous fluids should be increased to maintain hydration

Question 2

When advocating for a hospice patient whose family insists on aggressive interventions inconsistent with the patient's advance directive, the nurse should FIRST:

Accepted Answer

Review the advance directive with the family and clarify the patient's documented wishes

Answer

Contact the ethics committee immediately

Answer

Administer the aggressive interventions as the family requests

Answer

Discharge the patient from hospice services

Question 3

A hospice nurse is providing education to a newly admitted patient's caregiver about managing breakthrough pain. Which statement by the caregiver indicates a need for further teaching?

Accepted Answer

I should wait until the next scheduled dose because extra medication will cause addiction

Answer

I should give the rescue dose when pain increases beyond the baseline

Answer

I will document the time and effectiveness of each rescue dose

Answer

I understand the rescue medication works faster than the long-acting one

Question 4

In the context of hospice care, which action BEST demonstrates the nurse's role as a patient advocate during an interdisciplinary team meeting?

Accepted Answer

Presenting the patient's stated goals and preferences to guide the care plan

Answer

Deferring all decisions to the attending physician

Answer

Focusing exclusively on the medical treatment options available

Answer

Recommending transfer to acute care for further diagnostic workups

Question 5

A hospice nurse is educating a patient's spouse about the purpose of palliative sedation. Which explanation is MOST accurate?

Accepted Answer

It is intended to reduce consciousness to relieve refractory symptoms at end of life

Answer

Palliative sedation is used to hasten death when suffering becomes unbearable

Answer

Palliative sedation replaces all other comfort measures once initiated

Answer

It is only used when the patient can provide verbal consent at the time of administration

Question 6

Which strategy is MOST effective for a hospice nurse supporting a family from a culture that traditionally does not discuss death openly with the patient?

Accepted Answer

Respect the family's cultural norms while exploring the patient's own preferences privately

Answer

Insist that the patient must be told their prognosis to comply with hospice regulations

Answer

Avoid all discussions about prognosis with the patient and family

Answer

Document that the family is non-compliant with hospice education protocols