CHPN FREE Hospice and Palliative Nurse Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A hospice patient with end-stage COPD develops increasingly severe dyspnea despite maximum bronchodilator therapy. Which pharmacologic intervention is most appropriate for refractory dyspnea?

Accepted Answer

Low-dose oral morphine

Answer

Low-dose opioids are the evidence-based first-line treatment for refractory dyspnea in terminal illness by reducing the central perception of breathlessness.

Question 2

Which assessment tool is specifically validated for measuring pain in nonverbal or cognitively impaired hospice patients?

Accepted Answer

PAINAD scale

Answer

The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale uses behavioral indicators such as breathing patterns, vocalizations, and body language to assess pain in nonverbal patients.

Question 3

A patient enrolled in hospice care wishes to pursue curative chemotherapy for a newly diagnosed secondary cancer. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Explain that the patient may revoke hospice to pursue curative treatment and can re-enroll later

Answer

Patients have the right to revoke the hospice benefit at any time to pursue curative treatment and may re-elect hospice care later if eligible.

Question 4

Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with end-stage malignancy and can cause confusion, constipation, and cardiac arrhythmias in hospice patients?

Accepted Answer

Hypercalcemia

Answer

Hypercalcemia is the most common metabolic emergency in advanced cancer, frequently causing altered mental status, constipation, and cardiac conduction abnormalities.

Question 5

During the active dying phase, a family member is distressed by the patient's loud, gurgling respirations. Which intervention should the hospice nurse implement first?

Accepted Answer

Reposition the patient and provide oral suctioning as needed

Answer

Repositioning to a side-lying position and gentle oral suctioning are first-line comfort measures for terminal secretions, often combined with anticholinergic medication.

CHPN - Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Practice Test

CHPN - Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Practice Test

CHPN FREE Hospice and Palliative Nurse Questions and Answers 2