CHPN – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Patient Care: Pain Management
• Patient Care: Symptom Management
• Care of the Family and Caregiver
• Clinical Facilitation and Coordination of Care
• Professional Issues: Ethics and Legal Standards
• Communication and Counseling
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration
• End-of-Life Physiological Changes
Introduction
The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the clinical proficiency
and critical decision-making skills required for the Certified Hospice and Palliative
Nurse (CHPN) designation. This exam bank assesses a candidate’s mastery of
advanced pain and symptom management, psychosocial support, and the ethical
complexities inherent in end-of-life care. The structure utilizes multiple-choice and
,scenario-based questions to mirror real-world clinical environments. By emphasizing
practical application over rote memorization, this assessment ensures that
practitioners can effectively navigate the physiological, emotional, and spiritual needs
of patients and families during the final stages of life.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A hospice patient with end-stage lung cancer reports a sudden increase in
dyspnea. After elevating the head of the bed, which pharmacological
intervention is considered the gold standard for managing terminal
breathlessness?
A. Albuterol nebulizer
B. Oral lorazepam
🟢 C. Morphine sulfate
D. Furosemide
🔴 RATIONALE: Low-dose opioids, particularly morphine, are the primary
pharmacological treatment for dyspnea in palliative care as they reduce the
perception of breathlessness and decrease respiratory drive.
, 2. A patient’s family expresses concern that the patient is "starving to death"
because they have stopped eating and drinking. Which response by the nurse
best reflects the palliative philosophy regarding terminal dehydration?
A. We should start an IV to ensure the patient remains hydrated for comfort.
🟢 B. Dehydration in the final days can actually increase comfort by reducing
secretions and edema.
C. Force-feeding is necessary to maintain the patient's strength for as long as
possible.
D. The patient is likely depressed, and we should request a psychiatric consult.
🔴 RATIONALE: Natural dehydration during the dying process often leads to an
analgesic effect due to ketosis and reduces distressing symptoms like pulmonary
congestion and peripheral edema.
3. During a home visit, the nurse notes that a caregiver is appearing exhausted
and irritable. What is the most appropriate initial nursing intervention?
A. Recommend the caregiver take a sedative to help them sleep.
B. Suggest moving the patient to a long-term care facility immediately.
🟢 C. Explore the use of hospice respite care to provide the caregiver a temporary
, break.
D. Advise the caregiver to ignore the patient’s demands for a few hours each day.
🔴 RATIONALE: Respite care is a specific hospice benefit designed to prevent
caregiver burnout by providing up to five days of inpatient care for the patient.
4. Which of the following is an example of a "secondary" prevention strategy within
the context of palliative nursing?
🟢 A. Screening a new hospice patient for the risk of developing pressure ulcers.
B. Administering high-dose opioids for existing bone pain.
C. Providing bereavement support to a family after a patient has died.
D. Educating the public on the importance of advance directives.
🔴 RATIONALE: Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and screening to
prevent complications before they become severe, such as identifying skin
breakdown risks.
5. A patient with end-stage renal disease is experiencing pruritus. Which non-
pharmacological intervention should the nurse recommend first?
A. Frequent hot showers to open the pores.
B. Vigorous scrubbing of the skin with a washcloth.
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Patient Care: Pain Management
• Patient Care: Symptom Management
• Care of the Family and Caregiver
• Clinical Facilitation and Coordination of Care
• Professional Issues: Ethics and Legal Standards
• Communication and Counseling
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration
• End-of-Life Physiological Changes
Introduction
The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the clinical proficiency
and critical decision-making skills required for the Certified Hospice and Palliative
Nurse (CHPN) designation. This exam bank assesses a candidate’s mastery of
advanced pain and symptom management, psychosocial support, and the ethical
complexities inherent in end-of-life care. The structure utilizes multiple-choice and
,scenario-based questions to mirror real-world clinical environments. By emphasizing
practical application over rote memorization, this assessment ensures that
practitioners can effectively navigate the physiological, emotional, and spiritual needs
of patients and families during the final stages of life.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A hospice patient with end-stage lung cancer reports a sudden increase in
dyspnea. After elevating the head of the bed, which pharmacological
intervention is considered the gold standard for managing terminal
breathlessness?
A. Albuterol nebulizer
B. Oral lorazepam
🟢 C. Morphine sulfate
D. Furosemide
🔴 RATIONALE: Low-dose opioids, particularly morphine, are the primary
pharmacological treatment for dyspnea in palliative care as they reduce the
perception of breathlessness and decrease respiratory drive.
, 2. A patient’s family expresses concern that the patient is "starving to death"
because they have stopped eating and drinking. Which response by the nurse
best reflects the palliative philosophy regarding terminal dehydration?
A. We should start an IV to ensure the patient remains hydrated for comfort.
🟢 B. Dehydration in the final days can actually increase comfort by reducing
secretions and edema.
C. Force-feeding is necessary to maintain the patient's strength for as long as
possible.
D. The patient is likely depressed, and we should request a psychiatric consult.
🔴 RATIONALE: Natural dehydration during the dying process often leads to an
analgesic effect due to ketosis and reduces distressing symptoms like pulmonary
congestion and peripheral edema.
3. During a home visit, the nurse notes that a caregiver is appearing exhausted
and irritable. What is the most appropriate initial nursing intervention?
A. Recommend the caregiver take a sedative to help them sleep.
B. Suggest moving the patient to a long-term care facility immediately.
🟢 C. Explore the use of hospice respite care to provide the caregiver a temporary
, break.
D. Advise the caregiver to ignore the patient’s demands for a few hours each day.
🔴 RATIONALE: Respite care is a specific hospice benefit designed to prevent
caregiver burnout by providing up to five days of inpatient care for the patient.
4. Which of the following is an example of a "secondary" prevention strategy within
the context of palliative nursing?
🟢 A. Screening a new hospice patient for the risk of developing pressure ulcers.
B. Administering high-dose opioids for existing bone pain.
C. Providing bereavement support to a family after a patient has died.
D. Educating the public on the importance of advance directives.
🔴 RATIONALE: Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and screening to
prevent complications before they become severe, such as identifying skin
breakdown risks.
5. A patient with end-stage renal disease is experiencing pruritus. Which non-
pharmacological intervention should the nurse recommend first?
A. Frequent hot showers to open the pores.
B. Vigorous scrubbing of the skin with a washcloth.
