CHPN Ethical & Legal Issues in End-of-Life Care 5

Question 1

An ethics committee consultation is MOST appropriate when:

Accepted Answer

There is unresolvable conflict between the patient's wishes and the family's demands

Answer

Ethics committees are designed to mediate complex conflicts involving competing values, interests, or surrogate disagreements that the care team cannot resolve.

Question 2

Which statement about do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and hospice care is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A DNR must be separately ordered and documented; hospice enrollment does not automatically create one

Answer

Hospice enrollment and DNR orders are distinct; a DNR requires a separate physician order even when a patient is enrolled in hospice.

Question 3

A hospice nurse is asked by media to comment on a patient's condition. The nurse's BEST response is to:

Accepted Answer

Decline to comment and direct the inquiry to the organization's spokesperson

Answer

HIPAA prohibits any disclosure of patient information to media; the nurse must decline and refer all inquiries to the designated spokesperson.

Question 4

A patient with terminal cancer states she wants 'everything done' but also signed a DNR last week. How should the care team proceed?

Accepted Answer

Clarify with the patient what 'everything done' means and assess whether the DNR reflects her current wishes

Answer

Apparent conflicts between documents and verbal statements require clarification of current wishes to ensure care aligns with the patient's actual preferences.

Question 5

The ethical principle of justice in hospice care MOST directly requires that:

Accepted Answer

Resources and services are distributed fairly and equitably across patient populations

Answer

Justice demands fair, equitable distribution of resources without discrimination based on age, race, diagnosis, or other protected characteristics.

(CHPN) Hospice Certified Professional Practice Test

(CHPN) Hospice Certified Professional Practice Test

CHPN Ethical & Legal Issues in End-of-Life Care 5