Gerontological Nurse Test End-of-Life Care and Palliative Nursing

Question 1

Which document allows an older adult to designate a person to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated?

Accepted Answer

Durable power of attorney for healthcare (healthcare proxy)

Answer

Living will

Answer

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order

Answer

POLST form

Question 2

The primary goal of hospice care for an older adult with a terminal illness is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide comfort-focused care to maximize quality of life

Answer

Aggressively treat the underlying disease to extend life

Answer

Ensure the patient dies in a hospital setting

Answer

Limit family involvement to reduce emotional distress

Question 3

An older adult patient with terminal cancer rates their pain as 8/10. The nurse administers the ordered PRN morphine. This action reflects which principle of palliative care?

Accepted Answer

Aggressive symptom management to promote comfort

Answer

Autonomy in decision-making

Answer

Hastening death to relieve suffering

Answer

Limiting opioid use due to addiction risk in older adults

Question 4

A nurse is discussing advance directives with an older adult patient. The POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form differs from a living will in that POLST:

Accepted Answer

Is a physician order that is actionable across all healthcare settings

Answer

Is a legal document requiring a notary

Answer

Can only be completed by patients with dementia

Answer

Designates a healthcare proxy for decision-making

Question 5

Which symptom is most common and distressing for older adults in the final days of life that requires active nursing management?

Accepted Answer

Pain and dyspnea

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Answer

Increased appetite

Question 6

The nurse notes that a dying patient's respirations have become irregular with periods of apnea. The nurse recognizes this pattern as:

Accepted Answer

Cheyne-Stokes respirations, a normal end-of-life change

Answer

Kussmaul respirations indicating metabolic acidosis

Answer

Biot's respirations indicating neurological emergency

Answer

Tachypnea requiring immediate oxygen therapy