NACC PSW Palliative Care Exam 2026 | Questions & Verified
Answers | Latest Update | Graded A+
1. A resident is receiving hospice care. The person asks to see a priest at 2
o'clock in the am. What should you do?
Tell the person that you will ask the nurse to call in the am
Ask why the person wants to see a priest
Report the person's request to the nurse at once
Tell the person to go back to bed
2. What is palliative care?
Care for the dying in the home
Care for the dying in the home, hospital, or hospice
Care for the dying in a hospice
Care for the dying in a hospital
3. Describe the physiological process that leads to rigor mortis.
Rigor mortis is caused by the accumulation of lactic acid in the
muscles.
Rigor mortis is a result of increased blood flow to the muscles after
death.
Rigor mortis results from the breakdown of muscle tissue by bacteria.
Rigor mortis occurs due to the depletion of ATP, causing muscle
fibers to contract and stiffen.
4. Palliative Care is known as:
Has the goal of pre-planning the funeral
, A philosophy of care used to treat the terminally ill
Has the goal to improve the quality of life when there is no cure
An extra layer of support with a focus on providing relief from
serious illness and the goal to improve quality of life
5. Describe how palliative care differs from curative treatment.
Palliative care only addresses physical symptoms.
Palliative care is the same as curative treatment.
Palliative care is only for patients who are not expected to recover.
Palliative care focuses on providing relief from symptoms and
improving quality of life rather than attempting to cure the illness.
6. Postmortem care is done
After the family has viewed the body
After the doctor pronounces the person dead
After rigor mortis sets in
When the funeral director arrives for the body
7. What is palliative care?
A team-oriented holistic approach that provides comfort as well as
pain and symptom control, while also addressing psychological and
spiritual needs
A non-rehabilitative complementary therapy approach that eschews
traditional medical care
A team approach for clients who are in a terminal state and expect to
die within 6 months
, A single-discipline that offers a holistic approach to care, including
medication management and complementary therapies
8. Describe the significance of 'S' in the DIPPS acronym within palliative care
practices.
The 'S' represents social support, which involves family involvement.
The 'S' refers to supportive care, which focuses on emotional support.
The 'S' indicates spiritual care, which addresses the patient's spiritual
needs.
The 'S' stands for symptom management, which is crucial for
alleviating discomfort in patients.
9. Describe the significance of HPC in the context of providing care for
terminally ill patients.
HPC emphasizes a holistic approach to care that addresses both
physical and emotional needs of patients.
HPC is a term used only in hospital settings.
HPC is primarily concerned with the financial aspects of care.
HPC focuses solely on pain management for terminally ill patients.
10. In a scenario where a patient is experiencing severe pain at the end of life,
how would the concept represented by 'S' in the DIPPS acronym guide your
approach to care?
Implementing effective pain relief strategies.
Encouraging family discussions about the patient's wishes.
Focusing solely on emotional support for the patient.
Prioritizing spiritual counseling over physical symptoms.
Answers | Latest Update | Graded A+
1. A resident is receiving hospice care. The person asks to see a priest at 2
o'clock in the am. What should you do?
Tell the person that you will ask the nurse to call in the am
Ask why the person wants to see a priest
Report the person's request to the nurse at once
Tell the person to go back to bed
2. What is palliative care?
Care for the dying in the home
Care for the dying in the home, hospital, or hospice
Care for the dying in a hospice
Care for the dying in a hospital
3. Describe the physiological process that leads to rigor mortis.
Rigor mortis is caused by the accumulation of lactic acid in the
muscles.
Rigor mortis is a result of increased blood flow to the muscles after
death.
Rigor mortis results from the breakdown of muscle tissue by bacteria.
Rigor mortis occurs due to the depletion of ATP, causing muscle
fibers to contract and stiffen.
4. Palliative Care is known as:
Has the goal of pre-planning the funeral
, A philosophy of care used to treat the terminally ill
Has the goal to improve the quality of life when there is no cure
An extra layer of support with a focus on providing relief from
serious illness and the goal to improve quality of life
5. Describe how palliative care differs from curative treatment.
Palliative care only addresses physical symptoms.
Palliative care is the same as curative treatment.
Palliative care is only for patients who are not expected to recover.
Palliative care focuses on providing relief from symptoms and
improving quality of life rather than attempting to cure the illness.
6. Postmortem care is done
After the family has viewed the body
After the doctor pronounces the person dead
After rigor mortis sets in
When the funeral director arrives for the body
7. What is palliative care?
A team-oriented holistic approach that provides comfort as well as
pain and symptom control, while also addressing psychological and
spiritual needs
A non-rehabilitative complementary therapy approach that eschews
traditional medical care
A team approach for clients who are in a terminal state and expect to
die within 6 months
, A single-discipline that offers a holistic approach to care, including
medication management and complementary therapies
8. Describe the significance of 'S' in the DIPPS acronym within palliative care
practices.
The 'S' represents social support, which involves family involvement.
The 'S' refers to supportive care, which focuses on emotional support.
The 'S' indicates spiritual care, which addresses the patient's spiritual
needs.
The 'S' stands for symptom management, which is crucial for
alleviating discomfort in patients.
9. Describe the significance of HPC in the context of providing care for
terminally ill patients.
HPC emphasizes a holistic approach to care that addresses both
physical and emotional needs of patients.
HPC is a term used only in hospital settings.
HPC is primarily concerned with the financial aspects of care.
HPC focuses solely on pain management for terminally ill patients.
10. In a scenario where a patient is experiencing severe pain at the end of life,
how would the concept represented by 'S' in the DIPPS acronym guide your
approach to care?
Implementing effective pain relief strategies.
Encouraging family discussions about the patient's wishes.
Focusing solely on emotional support for the patient.
Prioritizing spiritual counseling over physical symptoms.
