EOL Quiz for Section 001

What is one goal of hospice care?

• To cure a terminal illness.

• To prolong the patient's life.

• To allow a death with dignity.

• To increase a patient's stay at the hospital.

Answer explanation

Goals of hospice care include pain management, emotional and spiritual comfort, allowing the patient to spend time at home and with loved one, and to experience a death with dignity. 

What are the 2 criteria needed to be admitted to a hospice program? (SATA)

• Patient must agree to hospice care.

• Patient must want to be cured of terminal illness.

• Patient must be medically eligible.

• Patient's family must make the choice for the patient.

Answer explanation

The two criteria for hospice:

1. The first criterion is that the patient must want the services and agree in writing to use only hospice care, not curative care, to treat the terminal illness. 

2. The second criterion is that the patient must be medically eligible for hospice.

What are some interventions that are provided in hospice care? (SATA)

• Management of symptoms using pharmacological and non pharmacological methods.

• Offering emotional support and comfort.

• Offering spiritual support.

• Using relaxation techniques.

Answer explanation

Interventions of Hospice Care include:

Being present and offer emotional support/comfort.

Holding their hand, listening to their concerns, etc.

Manage their physical symptoms with both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.

Use relaxation strategies (deep breathing, music therapy, imagery)

Offer spiritual support

Coordinate/communicate with other nurses, physicians, social workers, and other health care professionals.

Which of the following is a psychosocial manifestation at EOL? (SATA)

• Fear

• Anxiety

• Helplessness

• Withdrawal

Answer explanation

Psychosocial Manifestation during EOL include:

Altered decision making

Anxiety and fear

Life review

Peacefulness

Saying goodbyes

Helpless

Restless

Unusual communication

Withdrawal

Which of the following describes Cheyne-Stokes respirations?

• Shallowing breathing.

• Complete cessation of respirations.

• Alternate apnea and deep/rapid breathes.

• Slowed breathing.

Answer explanation

Cheyene-Stokes respirations are abnormal patterns of breathing that are commonly seen as someone approaches death. They can be described as alternate apnea and deep/rapid breathes.

Which sense is usually the last to dissipate during EOL?

• Touch

• Smell

• Taste

• Hearing

Answer explanation

Typically hearing is the last sense to disappear.

Palliative care is usually an important part of hospice care.

• True

• False

• IDK

• What?

Answer explanation

Palliative care is usually a part of hospice care as it reduces pain and symptoms associated with the hospice patient's condition.

What are some benefits of palliative care? (SATA)

• provides a death with dignity

• eases caregiver burden

• cures the patient of their condition

• improves the quality of life for those with a chronic illness

Answer explanation

Benefits of palliative care are that it

improves the quality of life for those with chronic illness.

lowers associated economic costs 

eases caregiver burden

Palliative care does not cure a condition and a death with dignity is a benefit of hospice care NOT palliative care.

When is hospice care available to a patient?

• Once a day.

• Once a week.

• Every other day.

• 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Answer explanation

Hospice care is available to those receiving it 24/7.

What are the responsibilities of a hospice nurse? (SATA)

• Pain control

• Providing spiritual comfort if needed

• Symptom management

• Medically diagnosing the patient

Answer explanation

Responsibilities of a hospice nurse include:

pain control

symptom management

spiritual assessment and comfort

assessment and management of family needs