CHPN Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CHPN facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which documentation practice BEST demonstrates regulatory compliance for CHPN certified professionals? → Maintaining organized, dated, and signed records of all activities
2. What is the MOST important factor when selecting assessment tools for CHPN certification work? → Validity, reliability, and appropriateness for the specific context
3. When working with a family whose primary language is not English, the hospice nurse should: → Arrange for a professional medical interpreter for clinical conversations
4. Why is cultural sensitivity important? → Respect diverse beliefs
5. Which of the following best describes the concept of 'total pain' as introduced by Dame Cicely Saunders? → The combined physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of suffering
6. Which factor is MOST important to assess when a patient requests hospice care at home? → Availability of a capable and willing primary caregiver
7. Which of the following is considered a late sign of approaching death? → Mandibular breathing (jaw breathing)
8. A patient wants to be kept comfortable but her son insists on hospitalization for IV nutrition. The nurse should: → Clarify and advocate for the patient's expressed comfort-focused goals
9. Who may provide spiritual support? → Chaplains or clergy
10. What role does a healthcare proxy play? → Decision maker
11. What is the MOST important factor when selecting assessment tools for CHPN certification work? → Validity, reliability, and appropriateness for the specific context
12. Which medication is used to reduce respiratory secretions ('death rattle') in a dying patient? → Glycopyrrolate
13. How can grief be supported? → Bereavement support
14. How frequently should ongoing assessments be conducted in Hospice Certified Professional practice? → At regular intervals and as conditions change
15. What is the role of corticosteroids such as dexamethasone in hospice symptom management? → Reduce inflammation, appetite stimulation, and relieve nausea and pain from pressure
16. In Hospice Certified Professional, what is the PRIMARY purpose of conducting regular safety drills and exercises? → To ensure personnel can respond effectively in emergencies
17. Which medication is used to treat opioid-induced pruritus in hospice patients? → Low-dose naloxone or nalbuphine
18. A continuous subcutaneous infusion is prescribed for a hospice patient. Which drug combination is considered compatible in the same syringe driver? → Morphine and midazolam
19. Cheyne-Stokes respirations, commonly seen in the final days of life, are characterized by: → Alternating periods of apnea and hyperpnea in a crescendo-decrescendo pattern
20. What does 'life review' involve? → Discuss life memories
21. A hospice patient is experiencing opioid-induced constipation. Which medication is specifically FDA-approved for this indication? → Methylnaltrexone
22. A patient asks the hospice nurse, 'Am I dying soon?' The most therapeutically appropriate response is: → 'Tell me more about what's prompting your question right now.'
23. What is an advance directive? → Legal care document
24. What is palliative care? → Relief from symptoms
25. What is an ethical dilemma? → Conflicting choices
26. Which approach is MOST important for CHPN professionals when applying technical procedures? → Adhering to established protocols while adapting to specific conditions
27. Which type of bereavement support is considered most intensive and appropriate for a survivor identified as high risk for complicated grief? → Individual grief counseling or referral to a mental health professional
28. How should Hospice Certified Professional professionals handle procedures that have been updated or revised? → Review updates, complete required training, and implement revised procedures
29. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) principle applies to ALL CHPN certified professionals regardless of their specific role? → PPE must be properly fitted, maintained, and replaced as needed
30. What is the BEST way for a Hospice Certified Professional professional to stay current with regulatory changes? → Monitor regulatory bodies, attend CE, and participate in professional associations