Certified Hospice And Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
Exam Questions And Correct Answers With
Rationales
1. Which of the following best describes the primary focus of
palliative care?
A) Cure of terminal illness
B) Relief of suffering and improvement of quality of life
C) Provision of experimental treatments
D) Long-term rehabilitation
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on relieving suffering and improving
quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, regardless of
prognosis.
2. The most common symptom reported by patients receiving
hospice care is:
A) Nausea
B) Shortness of breath
C) Pain
D) Confusion
Rationale: Pain is the most frequently reported symptom and is a
primary target for symptom management in hospice care.
3. Which of the following is a key principle of hospice care?
A) Hospital-based treatment only
B) Aggressive curative therapy
,C) Holistic, patient- and family-centered care
D) Restriction of psychosocial support
Rationale: Hospice care emphasizes holistic, interdisciplinary
approaches focusing on both patient and family needs.
4. A patient in hospice is experiencing dyspnea. Which intervention
is considered first-line?
A) Mechanical ventilation
B) High-dose corticosteroids
C) Low-dose opioids
D) Antihistamines
Rationale: Low-dose opioids are effective for relieving dyspnea in
palliative care without causing significant respiratory depression
when appropriately dosed.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient at the end of life who is no longer
eating or drinking. Which is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Force the patient to eat
B) Insert a feeding tube immediately
C) Provide comfort-focused care and oral care
D) Start IV nutrition
Rationale: At the end of life, focus shifts to comfort, not aggressive
nutrition, as forcing intake can cause discomfort and distress.
6. Which of the following medications is commonly used for
management of terminal agitation in hospice patients?
A) Morphine
B) Haloperidol
,C) Furosemide
D) Loratadine
Rationale: Haloperidol is frequently used to manage terminal
agitation and delirium due to its efficacy and safety profile in hospice
care.
7. A patient with advanced cancer has severe nausea. Which is the
most appropriate initial intervention?
A) Discontinue all oral intake
B) Administer an antiemetic such as ondansetron
C) Increase opioid dosage
D) Provide only IV fluids
Rationale: Symptom management, including nausea, is a priority in
palliative care. Antiemetics are first-line therapy.
8. The “surprise question” in palliative care assessment asks:
A) “Are you surprised by your symptoms?”
B) “Can this patient tolerate curative treatment?”
C) “Would you be surprised if this patient died within the next
year?”
D) “Is this patient ready for hospice referral?”
Rationale: The surprise question helps identify patients who may
benefit from palliative care based on prognostic considerations.
9. Which of the following is a common psychological issue in
terminally ill patients?
A) Mania
B) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
, C) Depression and anxiety
D) Schizophrenia
Rationale: Depression and anxiety are prevalent among patients with
terminal illness and require assessment and appropriate
interventions.
10. What is the most appropriate route of opioid administration for
a patient unable to swallow?
A) Oral
B) Rectal
C) Subcutaneous or IV
D) Sublingual only
Rationale: Subcutaneous or intravenous routes are effective for
patients unable to take oral medications, ensuring symptom control.
11. Which principle guides ethical decision-making in palliative
care?
A) Autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice
B) Profit maximization
C) Strict adherence to curative treatment
D) Patient autonomy and quality of life
Rationale: Ethical decision-making focuses on respecting patient
autonomy while promoting comfort and quality of life.
12. A patient nearing end of life is experiencing noisy breathing
(“death rattle”). The most appropriate intervention is:
A) Suctioning aggressively
B) Administering anticholinergic medications
Exam Questions And Correct Answers With
Rationales
1. Which of the following best describes the primary focus of
palliative care?
A) Cure of terminal illness
B) Relief of suffering and improvement of quality of life
C) Provision of experimental treatments
D) Long-term rehabilitation
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on relieving suffering and improving
quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, regardless of
prognosis.
2. The most common symptom reported by patients receiving
hospice care is:
A) Nausea
B) Shortness of breath
C) Pain
D) Confusion
Rationale: Pain is the most frequently reported symptom and is a
primary target for symptom management in hospice care.
3. Which of the following is a key principle of hospice care?
A) Hospital-based treatment only
B) Aggressive curative therapy
,C) Holistic, patient- and family-centered care
D) Restriction of psychosocial support
Rationale: Hospice care emphasizes holistic, interdisciplinary
approaches focusing on both patient and family needs.
4. A patient in hospice is experiencing dyspnea. Which intervention
is considered first-line?
A) Mechanical ventilation
B) High-dose corticosteroids
C) Low-dose opioids
D) Antihistamines
Rationale: Low-dose opioids are effective for relieving dyspnea in
palliative care without causing significant respiratory depression
when appropriately dosed.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient at the end of life who is no longer
eating or drinking. Which is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Force the patient to eat
B) Insert a feeding tube immediately
C) Provide comfort-focused care and oral care
D) Start IV nutrition
Rationale: At the end of life, focus shifts to comfort, not aggressive
nutrition, as forcing intake can cause discomfort and distress.
6. Which of the following medications is commonly used for
management of terminal agitation in hospice patients?
A) Morphine
B) Haloperidol
,C) Furosemide
D) Loratadine
Rationale: Haloperidol is frequently used to manage terminal
agitation and delirium due to its efficacy and safety profile in hospice
care.
7. A patient with advanced cancer has severe nausea. Which is the
most appropriate initial intervention?
A) Discontinue all oral intake
B) Administer an antiemetic such as ondansetron
C) Increase opioid dosage
D) Provide only IV fluids
Rationale: Symptom management, including nausea, is a priority in
palliative care. Antiemetics are first-line therapy.
8. The “surprise question” in palliative care assessment asks:
A) “Are you surprised by your symptoms?”
B) “Can this patient tolerate curative treatment?”
C) “Would you be surprised if this patient died within the next
year?”
D) “Is this patient ready for hospice referral?”
Rationale: The surprise question helps identify patients who may
benefit from palliative care based on prognostic considerations.
9. Which of the following is a common psychological issue in
terminally ill patients?
A) Mania
B) Obsessive-compulsive disorder
, C) Depression and anxiety
D) Schizophrenia
Rationale: Depression and anxiety are prevalent among patients with
terminal illness and require assessment and appropriate
interventions.
10. What is the most appropriate route of opioid administration for
a patient unable to swallow?
A) Oral
B) Rectal
C) Subcutaneous or IV
D) Sublingual only
Rationale: Subcutaneous or intravenous routes are effective for
patients unable to take oral medications, ensuring symptom control.
11. Which principle guides ethical decision-making in palliative
care?
A) Autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice
B) Profit maximization
C) Strict adherence to curative treatment
D) Patient autonomy and quality of life
Rationale: Ethical decision-making focuses on respecting patient
autonomy while promoting comfort and quality of life.
12. A patient nearing end of life is experiencing noisy breathing
(“death rattle”). The most appropriate intervention is:
A) Suctioning aggressively
B) Administering anticholinergic medications
