CHPN CHPN - Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse End-of-Life Care and Spiritual Considerations 3

Question 1

When performing a bereavement follow-up call to a widow six weeks after her husband's death, the nurse notes she is sleeping only 2 hours per night and has stopped eating. This MOST likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Complicated grief or major depression requiring further assessment

Answer

Normal grief that requires no intervention

Answer

Medication side effects from current prescriptions

Answer

Spiritual distress requiring immediate chaplain referral

Question 2

A patient with terminal illness requests information about voluntary stopping of eating and drinking (VSED). The hospice nurse's most appropriate response is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide balanced information and refer to the interdisciplinary team for support

Answer

Refuse to discuss VSAD as it violates hospice philosophy

Answer

Immediately contact the ethics committee

Answer

Document the request and take no further action

Question 3

Which position is MOST recommended for a patient experiencing Cheyne-Stokes respirations in the final hours of life?

Accepted Answer

Semi-Fowler's or lateral position to improve comfort and reduce secretions

Answer

Supine with the head of bed flat

Answer

Prone position to maximize lung expansion

Answer

Trendelenburg position to increase cerebral blood flow

Question 4

During a family meeting, family members disagree about whether to continue tube feeding for an unresponsive hospice patient. The nurse's PRIMARY role is to:

Accepted Answer

Support the decision of the healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney for health care

Answer

Side with the majority of family members

Answer

Defer entirely to the physician's recommendation

Answer

Remove the feeding tube immediately per hospice policy

Question 5

A nurse is caring for a Jewish patient who is actively dying. The family requests that a rabbi be present. Which action reflects culturally competent end-of-life care?

Accepted Answer

Facilitate contact with a rabbi and accommodate religious observances per the patient's wishes

Answer

Explain that the hospice chaplain can serve in place of a rabbi

Answer

Document the request but take no further action

Answer

Limit visitors to immediate family only during active dying

Question 6

Which of the following statements about grief is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Grief can include physical, cognitive, behavioral, and spiritual dimensions

Answer

Grief always follows predictable sequential stages in every person

Answer

Grief is limited to the emotional response following a death

Answer

Complicated grief is the most common grief response