Module 1: Intro to Palliative Care Nursing

Which of the following patients should advocate for getting a palliative care referral?

A 32-year-old female newly diagnosed with breast cancer

Which of the following is an important way nurses can improve palliative care access for those who should receive it?

Being knowledgeable of the benefits of palliative and hospice care

Which of the following demonstrates the impact serious illness has on the social domain of quality of life?

Financial burdens resulting from the high costs of medical care

Which of the following statements reflects the importance of learning about palliative care as a student nurse?

Future employers expect you to have education and training in palliative care services.

Jack is a 6-year-old who just died at home with hospice from an aggressive type of brain cancer. His parents and his 12-year-old sister are having a very difficult time dealing with this terrible loss. Which of the following would be a help to them after Jack's death?

Hospice bereavement care

Mr. X has end-stage liver cancer and multiple organ failure. He wants to be home and comfortable. Which intervention would be most appropriate to offer him?

Hospice services

You are asked to describe palliative care to a family member. Which of the following statements would be best to include in your discussion?

Palliative care supports the patient's goals of care.

Mrs. Smith is suffering with severe bone pain from metastatic cancer. Which domain of quality of life is this affecting?

Physical

Mrs. Woodrow tells you that her mother has been staying with her and is having difficulty sleeping due to poorly controlled pain. Which quality of life domain is Mrs. Woodrow's mother struggling with?

Physical

Which disease and dying trajectory best represents the course for a person with Alzheimer's disease?

Progressive deterioration

One of the nurse's most important roles in caring for seriously ill patients and their families is:

Providing listening and presence

Mr. E tells you he is feeling "down" about his new diagnosis of advanced lung cancer. In which of the domains of quality of life does this statement reflect that he is suffering?

Psychological

Mr. Rodriquez tells you that he is very frightened by not knowing what happens after death. Which domain of quality of life is being affected by his serious illness?

Spiritual

The majority of hospice care is delivered in:

The home

What should drive decision-making in palliative care?

The patient's goals of care

Ms. P is offered hospice care for her end-stage cardiac disease. Which statement reflects a need for the nurse to provide further education?

Why would I get hospice? I thought hospice is really for patients with cancer.

Which of the following statements best describes hospice care?

Hospice supports the patient and family through the dying process.

Which of the following describes palliative care's philosophy and delivery?

It supports the patient and family's hope for quality of life and dignity.

A 92-year-old patient dying of end stage heart failure tells you that she is worried that her life had no meaning. What member of the palliative care team would you want to be sure is involved in her care?

The chaplain

Which of the following statements is true about serious, chronic illnesses?

The majority of annual U.S. healthcare spending goes toward chronic illnesses.