FREE Hospice and Palliative Nurse Trivia Questions and Answers

Question 1

With the following exception, the advanced practice nurse in palliative care should be skilled in all of the following:

Accepted Answer

Administering medication with the primary purpose of hastening death

Answer

The core principle of palliative care is to provide comfort and improve the quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness, without hastening or postponing death. Administering medication with the primary purpose of hastening death is contrary to the ethical guidelines and philosophy of palliative care. The other options describe essential skills for an advanced practice nurse in this field.

Question 2

All of the following, with one exception, are typical signs of late-stage dementia:

Accepted Answer

Urinary retention

Answer

In late-stage dementia, patients typically experience severe cognitive decline leading to a loss of basic bodily functions. This commonly includes incontinence (loss of bladder control), inability to walk, and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Urinary retention, while possible in some medical conditions, is not a typical or primary sign of late-stage dementia; rather, incontinence is more characteristic.

Question 3

Mary, a 73-year-old patient, has smoked for 50 years. She has a barrel chest, dyspnea, and supraclavicular retractions with effort. She is quite skinny. Which oxygen concentration would work best for Mary?

Accepted Answer

2L per N/C prn

Answer

Mary's symptoms (barrel chest, dyspnea, supraclavicular retractions, skinny) are indicative of severe COPD, likely emphysema. Patients with chronic hypercapnia often rely on a hypoxic drive to breathe, meaning high oxygen concentrations can suppress their respiratory drive. Therefore, low-flow oxygen, such as 2L per nasal cannula as needed, is the safest approach to avoid respiratory depression while still providing some relief.

Question 4

You are providing care for a patient who has bone-metastasizing cancer.
Which of the following adjuvant drugs do you think should be prescribed?

Accepted Answer

Pamidronate

Answer

Pamidronate is a bisphosphonate medication commonly prescribed as an adjuvant therapy for cancer patients with bone metastases. It works by inhibiting osteoclast activity, which helps reduce bone resorption, prevent pathological fractures, and manage hypercalcemia associated with bone destruction. The other listed medications are not primarily used for bone metastases.

Question 5

Renal failure's primary cause is

Accepted Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. High blood glucose levels over time damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste products from the blood. This progressive damage, known as diabetic nephropathy, ultimately leads to renal failure.

CHPN - Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Practice Test

CHPN - Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Practice Test

FREE Hospice and Palliative Nurse Trivia Questions and Answers