(CHPN) Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Exam
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
With Rationales 2025
1 . A patient receiving hospice care is experiencing increased dyspnea. What is
the first-line medication for symptom relief?
• Lorazepam
• Albuterol
• Morphine
• Prednisone
Morphine reduces the sensation of breathlessness by decreasing
respiratory drive and altering central perception of dyspnea.
2. The primary goal of hospice care is:
• Curative treatment
• Disease prevention
• Symptom management and quality of life
• Rehabilitative therapy
Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life rather than
curative treatment.
3. What is the most appropriate intervention for terminal delirium?
,• Haloperidol
• Restraints
• Reorientation techniques and antipsychotics
• IV hydration
Reorientation and medications like haloperidol are commonly used
to manage terminal delirium. Hydration may worsen symptoms.
4. The best route for opioid administration in a patient with dysphagia is:
• Oral
• Subcutaneous
• Rectal
• Intrathecal
The subcutaneous route is effective and minimally invasive for
patients unable to take oral medications.
5. Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of spiritual distress?
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Loss of meaning or purpose
• Delirium
Spiritual distress often manifests as a loss of meaning, faith, or
connectedness.
6. The term "total pain" refers to:
, • Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual pain
• Cancer-related pain only
• Acute vs. chronic pain
• Physical injury
Total pain encompasses the multifaceted nature of suffering.
7. Which assessment tool is best for evaluating pain in a non-verbal dementia
patient?
• FLACC Scale
• PAINAD
• Wong-Baker Faces Scale
• VAS Scale
PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia) is validated for
this population.
8. A family member insists on full code status despite the patient’s advance
directive stating DNR. What should the nurse do?
• Follow family wishes
• Call ethics committee
• Honor the patient's directive and explain to the family
• Defer decision to physician
Advance directives are legally binding and should be honored.
9. The most common symptom reported by patients in palliative care is:
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
With Rationales 2025
1 . A patient receiving hospice care is experiencing increased dyspnea. What is
the first-line medication for symptom relief?
• Lorazepam
• Albuterol
• Morphine
• Prednisone
Morphine reduces the sensation of breathlessness by decreasing
respiratory drive and altering central perception of dyspnea.
2. The primary goal of hospice care is:
• Curative treatment
• Disease prevention
• Symptom management and quality of life
• Rehabilitative therapy
Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life rather than
curative treatment.
3. What is the most appropriate intervention for terminal delirium?
,• Haloperidol
• Restraints
• Reorientation techniques and antipsychotics
• IV hydration
Reorientation and medications like haloperidol are commonly used
to manage terminal delirium. Hydration may worsen symptoms.
4. The best route for opioid administration in a patient with dysphagia is:
• Oral
• Subcutaneous
• Rectal
• Intrathecal
The subcutaneous route is effective and minimally invasive for
patients unable to take oral medications.
5. Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of spiritual distress?
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Loss of meaning or purpose
• Delirium
Spiritual distress often manifests as a loss of meaning, faith, or
connectedness.
6. The term "total pain" refers to:
, • Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual pain
• Cancer-related pain only
• Acute vs. chronic pain
• Physical injury
Total pain encompasses the multifaceted nature of suffering.
7. Which assessment tool is best for evaluating pain in a non-verbal dementia
patient?
• FLACC Scale
• PAINAD
• Wong-Baker Faces Scale
• VAS Scale
PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia) is validated for
this population.
8. A family member insists on full code status despite the patient’s advance
directive stating DNR. What should the nurse do?
• Follow family wishes
• Call ethics committee
• Honor the patient's directive and explain to the family
• Defer decision to physician
Advance directives are legally binding and should be honored.
9. The most common symptom reported by patients in palliative care is:
