End-of-Life Care and Hospice Support Flashcards
7 cards from real HCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 End-of-Life Care and Hospice Support flashcards as text
The term 'palliative care' is best described as:
Answer: Care that relieves symptoms and improves comfort without necessarily curing the disease
Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms, reducing suffering, and improving quality of life for patients with serious illness, and can be provided alongside curative treatment.
When performing post-mortem care, which action is most appropriate for the HCA?
Answer: Position the body with the head elevated and treat it with dignity and respect
Post-mortem care includes positioning the body with the head slightly elevated, maintaining dignity, and following facility policy — the body should always be treated with respect.
Which breathing pattern is most commonly observed in patients who are actively dying?
Answer: Cheyne-Stokes respirations — irregular breathing with alternating periods of apnea
Cheyne-Stokes respirations — cycles of increasing, then decreasing depth with periods of no breathing (apnea) — are a common sign in actively dying patients.
A family member is crying and grieving at the bedside of a dying patient. What is the best response from the HCA?
Answer: Offer compassionate presence, listen without judgment, and provide emotional support
Providing compassionate presence and active listening is the most therapeutic response; false reassurances or dismissive actions are inappropriate.
What is the HCA's appropriate role in addressing a dying patient's spiritual needs?
Answer: Notify and arrange for appropriate support (chaplain, clergy) if requested by the patient
The HCA supports spiritual needs by facilitating access to chaplains or clergy per the patient's request, respecting the patient's beliefs without imposing the HCA's own.
How should the HCA document observations about a patient who is near death?
Answer: Document observations objectively, accurately, and in a timely manner
Documentation must be objective, accurate, and timely to ensure continuity of care and legal accuracy; delayed or subjective charting is inappropriate.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of 'comfort measures' in end-of-life care?
Answer: To minimize pain, maintain dignity, and support emotional well-being
Comfort measures prioritize reducing suffering, preserving dignity, and supporting the emotional and physical well-being of the dying patient rather than treating the disease.