HAC End-of-Life & Palliative Care 2

Question 1

A palliative care patient tells the aide she is angry at God and questions why this is happening to her. The BEST response is to:

Accepted Answer

Listen quietly and acknowledge her feelings without judgment

Answer

Active, non-judgmental listening validates the patient's spiritual distress and supports emotional well-being.

Question 2

Which physical sign indicates that death may occur within hours?

Accepted Answer

Mottling of the skin on the legs and feet

Answer

Mottling — a bluish-purple blotchy discoloration of the skin — is a sign of failing circulation and imminent death.

Question 3

A hospice aide notices a dying patient's breathing has become irregular with long pauses. This pattern is called:

Accepted Answer

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Answer

Cheyne-Stokes respiration — cycles of deep breaths followed by apneic pauses — is common in the final hours of life.

Question 4

The primary goal of hospice care is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide comfort and quality of life

Answer

Hospice focuses on palliative comfort — relieving pain and symptoms — rather than curative treatment.

Question 5

A family member asks the aide to keep the patient's terminal diagnosis secret from the patient. The aide should:

Accepted Answer

Report the situation to the supervising nurse for guidance

Answer

Withholding information involves ethical and legal considerations that must be handled by the supervising nurse or care team.

(HAC) Healthcare Aide Certification Practice Test