CHPN MCQ Practice 3

Question 1

A hospice patient with end-stage heart failure develops refractory ascites causing severe discomfort. The most appropriate palliative intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Perform therapeutic paracentesis for symptom relief

Answer

Therapeutic paracentesis provides rapid relief of discomfort caused by refractory ascites when other measures are insufficient in palliative care.

Question 2

Which medication is MOST appropriate for managing death rattle (terminal secretions) in a dying patient?

Accepted Answer

Glycopyrrolate or hyoscine hydrobromide

Answer

Anticholinergic agents such as glycopyrrolate or hyoscine (scopolamine) dry secretions and are the pharmacological treatment of choice for terminal respiratory secretions.

Question 3

A palliative care nurse documents a Karnofsky Performance Scale score of 30 for a patient. This score indicates the patient is:

Accepted Answer

Severely disabled, hospitalization indicated

Answer

A Karnofsky score of 30 indicates severe disability, unable to care for self, requiring hospitalization or equivalent institutional care.

Question 4

Which of the following is the primary goal when managing pain in a patient who is actively dying and no longer able to swallow?

Accepted Answer

Convert to an equivalent subcutaneous or IV continuous infusion

Answer

When a patient can no longer swallow, maintaining comfort requires converting opioids to an equivalent parenteral or subcutaneous route to ensure continuous pain control.

Question 5

A nurse caring for a patient of a different cultural background notices the family is making all medical decisions without consulting the patient. The nurse should first:

Accepted Answer

Explore the patient's own wishes and preferences regarding decision-making roles

Answer

Culturally competent care requires assessing the patient's own preferences about family-centered decision-making before assuming Western autonomy norms apply.

CHPN - Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Practice Test

CHPN - Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Practice Test

CHPN MCQ Practice 3