ATI Community Health Nursing: Home Health & Hospice Exam 7 Study
Guide 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A home health nurse is planning the initial visit for a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Establish a plan of care for the client.
B. Review the client’s referral information.
C. Conduct a physical assessment.
D. Discuss the schedule for future visits.
Answer: B
Rationale: Reviewing referral information is the priority action during the pre-visit phase
to identify the client’s needs and ensure the nurse has necessary supplies.
2. To qualify for Medicare reimbursement for home health services, which
criterion must the client meet?
A. The client must require 24-hour skilled nursing care.
B. The client must be unable to afford private care.
C. The client must be considered homebound.
D. The client must have a diagnosis of a terminal illness.
Answer: C
Rationale: Medicare requires that a client be homebound, meaning leaving home requires
a taxing effort and occurs infrequently, to receive home health services.
,3. A nurse is practicing the ‘bag technique’ during a home visit. Where should
the nurse place the supply bag?
A. On the client’s bed for easy access.
B. On a clean, dry surface with a barrier.
C. On the floor near the client’s chair.
D. In the kitchen sink area.
Answer: B
Rationale: The supply bag should be placed on a clean, dry surface, usually with a barrier
like a paper towel, to prevent the spread of microorganisms from the home environment to
the bag.
4. Which of the following is a primary goal of hospice care?
A. Prolonging life through aggressive treatment.
B. Providing curative interventions for chronic illness.
C. Promoting quality of life and comfort.
D. Reducing the cost of end-of-life care.
Answer: C
Rationale: Hospice care focuses on palliative care, which emphasizes comfort, pain
management, and quality of life rather than curing the disease.
5. A home health nurse is performing a safety assessment. Which finding
represents a fall risk?
A. Non-skid strips in the bathtub.
B. An extension cord across a high-traffic hallway.
C. A raised toilet seat.
D. Lighting that is bright and glare-free.
Answer: B
Rationale: Extension cords or loose rugs in walkways are significant tripping hazards and
should be secured or removed.
, 6. A nurse is discussing palliative care with a client’s family. Which statement by
the nurse is accurate?
A. Palliative care is only for clients with less than 6 months to live.
B. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments.
C. Clients must sign a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order to receive palliative care.
D. Palliative care is only available in a hospital setting.
Answer: B
Rationale: Unlike hospice, palliative care can be initiated at any stage of a serious illness
and can be provided concurrently with curative medical treatments.
7. Which phase of the home visit involves the nurse and client establishing a
contract for services and goals?
A. Pre-visit phase.
B. Implementation phase.
C. Initiation phase.
D. Termination phase.
Answer: C
Rationale: During the initiation phase, the nurse introduces themselves, clarifies the
purpose of the visit, and establishes a mutual agreement or contract for care.
8. A nurse identifies that a family caregiver is experiencing burnout. Which of
the following is a sign of caregiver stress?
A. The caregiver attends a weekly support group.
B. The caregiver reports frequent headaches and social isolation.
C. The caregiver expresses satisfaction with the client’s progress.
D. The caregiver asks for a demonstration of a wound dressing change.
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical symptoms like headaches and social withdrawal are common
indicators of caregiver role strain and burnout.
Guide 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A home health nurse is planning the initial visit for a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Establish a plan of care for the client.
B. Review the client’s referral information.
C. Conduct a physical assessment.
D. Discuss the schedule for future visits.
Answer: B
Rationale: Reviewing referral information is the priority action during the pre-visit phase
to identify the client’s needs and ensure the nurse has necessary supplies.
2. To qualify for Medicare reimbursement for home health services, which
criterion must the client meet?
A. The client must require 24-hour skilled nursing care.
B. The client must be unable to afford private care.
C. The client must be considered homebound.
D. The client must have a diagnosis of a terminal illness.
Answer: C
Rationale: Medicare requires that a client be homebound, meaning leaving home requires
a taxing effort and occurs infrequently, to receive home health services.
,3. A nurse is practicing the ‘bag technique’ during a home visit. Where should
the nurse place the supply bag?
A. On the client’s bed for easy access.
B. On a clean, dry surface with a barrier.
C. On the floor near the client’s chair.
D. In the kitchen sink area.
Answer: B
Rationale: The supply bag should be placed on a clean, dry surface, usually with a barrier
like a paper towel, to prevent the spread of microorganisms from the home environment to
the bag.
4. Which of the following is a primary goal of hospice care?
A. Prolonging life through aggressive treatment.
B. Providing curative interventions for chronic illness.
C. Promoting quality of life and comfort.
D. Reducing the cost of end-of-life care.
Answer: C
Rationale: Hospice care focuses on palliative care, which emphasizes comfort, pain
management, and quality of life rather than curing the disease.
5. A home health nurse is performing a safety assessment. Which finding
represents a fall risk?
A. Non-skid strips in the bathtub.
B. An extension cord across a high-traffic hallway.
C. A raised toilet seat.
D. Lighting that is bright and glare-free.
Answer: B
Rationale: Extension cords or loose rugs in walkways are significant tripping hazards and
should be secured or removed.
, 6. A nurse is discussing palliative care with a client’s family. Which statement by
the nurse is accurate?
A. Palliative care is only for clients with less than 6 months to live.
B. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments.
C. Clients must sign a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order to receive palliative care.
D. Palliative care is only available in a hospital setting.
Answer: B
Rationale: Unlike hospice, palliative care can be initiated at any stage of a serious illness
and can be provided concurrently with curative medical treatments.
7. Which phase of the home visit involves the nurse and client establishing a
contract for services and goals?
A. Pre-visit phase.
B. Implementation phase.
C. Initiation phase.
D. Termination phase.
Answer: C
Rationale: During the initiation phase, the nurse introduces themselves, clarifies the
purpose of the visit, and establishes a mutual agreement or contract for care.
8. A nurse identifies that a family caregiver is experiencing burnout. Which of
the following is a sign of caregiver stress?
A. The caregiver attends a weekly support group.
B. The caregiver reports frequent headaches and social isolation.
C. The caregiver expresses satisfaction with the client’s progress.
D. The caregiver asks for a demonstration of a wound dressing change.
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical symptoms like headaches and social withdrawal are common
indicators of caregiver role strain and burnout.
