Education, Support, and Advocacy Flashcards
7 cards from real CHPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Education, Support, and Advocacy flashcards as text
A hospice nurse documents that patient education was 'verbalized understanding.' This documentation is considered:
Answer: Insufficient because it does not demonstrate comprehension
Stating a patient 'verbalized understanding' does not demonstrate actual comprehension; documentation should reflect teach-back or return demonstration.
Which statement BEST describes the hospice nurse's role in supporting spiritual needs?
Answer: Nurses should assess spiritual distress and collaborate with the chaplain as part of the interdisciplinary team
Spiritual assessment and collaborative referral to chaplaincy are within the hospice nurse's scope as part of holistic interdisciplinary care.
A family member asks why the nurse is reducing the dying patient's IV fluids. The BEST educational response is:
Answer: 'The body no longer needs fluids at this stage and they can cause discomfort.'
Educating families that the dying body cannot process fluids, and that IV fluids may worsen symptoms like edema and secretions, supports understanding and acceptance.
Which behavior BEST demonstrates a hospice nurse acting as a patient advocate?
Answer: Ensuring the patient's pain is reassessed after an analgesic and reporting inadequate relief to the physician
Advocacy includes actively monitoring outcomes and communicating unresolved symptoms to the care team to ensure patient comfort is achieved.
When educating a family about oral care for a non-responsive dying patient, the nurse should instruct them to:
Answer: Use moistened swabs to keep lips and mouth moist and avoid aspiration risk
Moistened swabs keep mucosal membranes comfortable and reduce the aspiration risk associated with using a toothbrush or large amounts of liquid in a non-responsive patient.
A nurse notices a family caregiver has not slept in two days and is making medication errors. The nurse's BEST action is to:
Answer: Educate the caregiver about the errors, arrange respite care, and notify the interdisciplinary team
Caregiver exhaustion is a patient safety issue; the nurse must educate, arrange immediate respite, and engage the team to create a sustainable care plan.
What is the MOST important factor the nurse should assess before beginning patient education?
Answer: The patient's current level of pain, anxiety, and readiness to learn
Pain, anxiety, and readiness to learn must be assessed first because uncontrolled symptoms significantly impair the patient's ability to retain new information.