CHPN CHPN - Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Medications and Pharmacology 2

Question 1

Haloperidol (Haldol) is commonly used in hospice primarily for which symptom?

Accepted Answer

Terminal agitation and delirium

Answer

Pain

Answer

Respiratory secretions

Answer

Constipation

Question 2

When a hospice patient can no longer swallow oral medications, which route is generally preferred for ongoing symptom management?

Accepted Answer

Subcutaneous continuous infusion

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Intravenous via PICC line

Answer

Rectal suppositories only

Question 3

A nurse is preparing to titrate a continuous morphine infusion for a patient in uncontrolled pain. What is the standard recommendation for opioid dose titration?

Accepted Answer

Increase by 25–50% of the current dose when pain is not controlled

Answer

Double the dose every hour until pain is controlled

Answer

Decrease the dose and add a non-opioid adjuvant

Answer

Switch to a different opioid class immediately

Question 4

Which medication is considered the drug of choice for neuropathic pain in palliative care?

Accepted Answer

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Acetaminophen

Answer

Codeine

Question 5

A hospice patient taking methadone for pain requires careful monitoring because methadone has:

Accepted Answer

An unpredictable and long half-life that increases risk of accumulation and overdose

Answer

A very short half-life requiring dosing every 2 hours

Answer

No interaction with other CNS depressants

Answer

A ceiling effect similar to non-opioid analgesics

Question 6

Dexamethasone is commonly used in palliative care for all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Treating opioid-induced constipation

Answer

Reducing inflammation around brain metastases

Answer

Stimulating appetite

Answer

Managing spinal cord compression