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

A durable power of attorney for healthcare designates a specific individual as the healthcare proxy to make medical decisions when the patient lacks decision-making capacity.

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

Hospice care is a philosophy and service that focuses on comfort, symptom management, and quality of life rather than curative treatment, supporting both patient and family.

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

In palliative care, effective and timely symptom management—including adequate analgesia—is a core ethical obligation to maintain patient comfort and dignity.

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

POLST is a physician order that translates patient wishes into actionable medical orders honored across all care settings, unlike a living will which is a legal directive that must be interpreted.

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

Pain and dyspnea are the most prevalent and distressing symptoms at end of life, and their proactive management is a central nursing responsibility in end-of-life care.

Gerontological Nurse Test Practice Test

Gerontological Nurse Test Practice Test

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