HAC End-of-Life & Palliative Care 3

Question 1

Which of the following BEST describes the role of the healthcare aide in a hospice setting?

Accepted Answer

Providing personal care and reporting changes to the nurse

Answer

The aide's scope includes personal care, comfort measures, and accurate observation and reporting — not clinical decision-making.

Question 2

A patient with a DNR order goes into cardiac arrest. The aide should:

Accepted Answer

Notify the nurse and provide comfort measures per the care plan

Answer

A DNR order means no resuscitation; the aide should notify the nurse and follow the established comfort-focused care plan.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of anticipatory grief?

Accepted Answer

A spouse feeling sadness and loss while the patient is still alive

Answer

Anticipatory grief occurs when family members begin to mourn before the actual death of their loved one.

Question 4

When a dying patient reports severe uncontrolled pain, the aide's FIRST action is to:

Accepted Answer

Immediately notify the nurse

Answer

Uncontrolled pain is an urgent finding that must be reported to the nurse immediately for clinical intervention.

Question 5

A palliative care patient asks the aide if she is going to die soon. The BEST response is:

Accepted Answer

"I'm not sure — what are you feeling or thinking about?"

Answer

Reflective, open-ended responses invite the patient to share her concerns without making promises or dismissing her fears.

(HAC) Healthcare Aide Certification Practice Test