2018 Edition

CHPN Practice Exam

Take this free CHPN practice test to get a sample of the types of questions on the actual Hospice and Palliative Nurse certification exam.

The CHPN exam is a 3 hour exam covering 150 multiple choice questions. The CHPN exam focuses on five domain practice areas: Life-limiting Conditions in Adult Patients, Pain Management, Symptom Management, Patient and Family Care and Practical Issues.

You can also try the Complete 750 Question CHPN Practice Exam Kit with fully explained answers, testing tips and more.

Patient Care: Life-Limiting Conditions in Adult Patients

1.	You are the nurse on-call and receive a call from a continuous care nurse who states that her patient has started to have "rattling" secretions and the patient's wife is very concerned. You know from report that this patient is imminent. What would be the most appropriate response?
		Elevate HOB, turn him on his side
		Administer furosemide
		Suction the patient
		Order oxygen for the patient
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

2.	Mary is a 73-year-old patient with a 50-year history of smoking. She is very thin with a barrel chest, dyspnea and supraclavicular retractions upon exertion. What level of oxygen may be most effective for Mary?
		None
		2L per N/C prn
		6L per N/C
		40% venti-mask
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

Patient Care: Pain Management

3.	Which of the following most accurately describes "breakthrough" pain?
		Associated with pathological fractures
		Refers to a new psychological or spiritual insight
		Can occur as end-of-dose failure
		An aspect of opioid pseudo-addiction
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

4.	Madge is an 88 year-old with end stage colon cancer, who is imminently dying. She has been unresponsive for the past six hours, but is restless at times with furrowing of her brow. She is still swallowing her secretions, and sucks on the oral sponge when mouth care is provided. Prior to her change in status, she was receiving Oxycontin 40 mg po q12 hr ATC with Oxydose 8-12 mg po q2hrs prn for breakthrough pain. In light of Madge's change in level of consciousness, what changes should be made to her pain management regimen?
		Convert to IV infusion
		Convert to subcutaneous infusion
		Convert to liquid dosing orally
		Convert to fentanyl patch
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

Patient Care: Symptom Management

5.	Of the following, which may indicate a poor prognosis for the hospice patient with a diagnosis of end-stage cardiac disease?
		Infection
		Edema
		Bleeding
		Unexplained syncope
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

6.	When a hospice patient is facing increasing weakness, with increased fatigue and decreased mobility, which of the following is an important aspect of supporting the patient's care needs?
		Prioritizing energy use
		Honoring the wishes of family members
		Remaining as mobile as possible
		Seeing as many visitors as possible
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

Care of Patient and Family

7.	When describing how the Hospice Medicare/Medicaid benefit impacts payment for a hospital stay for a patient who has been admitted to hospice, which of the following is the most accurate statement?
		"Charges for all hospitalizations are billed to the hospice."
		"Hospice patients must be discharged from the hospice prior to hospitalization."
		"The hospice is never billed for hospitalizations."
		"Charges for hospitalizations related to the hospice admitting diagnosis are billed to the hospice."
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

8.	After a patient's death, which member of the IDT typically coordinates bereavement support transitioning for the patient's family?
		The patient's nurse
		The hospice volunteer
		The hospice counselor
		The hospice director
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

Education and Advocacy

9.	Eric is a 69-year-old with end-stage esophageal cancer who has just returned home from the hospital after having a PEG tube placed. His wife, Margaret, will be caring for him, and states that she learned how to give him his tube feedings in the hospital. What is the most effective manner of assessing Margaret's ability to perform this task?
		Ask her to tell you how she performs it.
		Ask her to show you how she performs it.
		Ask her to describe the instructions she was given.
		Ask her husband if she is performing it correctly.
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

10.	If a patient and family are struggling financially, which member of the IDT may be most helpful in identifying available community resources for support?
		Hospice chaplain
		Hospice social worker
		Hospice aide
		Hospice director
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

Interdisciplinary / Collaborative Practice

11.	According to Medicare guidelines, how often does a registered nurse need to make a visit to the patient's home for the purpose of supervising a hospice aide?
		Once every 30 days
		Once every 7 days
		Once every 14 days
		Once every benefit period
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

12.	What would be the best option for involving the patient and family in the IDT discussion in the hospice house setting, if they would like to participate?
		Ask them to attend the meeting in the conference room.
		Hold the meeting in the hall outside the patient's room.
		Hold the meeting at the patient's bedside.
		Ask them to attend the meeting in the manager's office.
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

Professional Issues

13.	What is the best practice regarding use of the electronic health record in patient care?
		Real-time documentation
		Documentation for all patients in one sitting
		Documenting in the office
		Documenting before the end of the day
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

14.	You have recently started caring for a new patient who is a member of your church, and the patient permitted news of her hospice admission to be added to the weekly church announcements. At Bible study, a mutual friend asks how she is doing. What is the most appropriate response?
		Provide an update on your patient's condition.
		Ask her to talk to the pastor.
		Kindly reinforce that you cannot share personal information.
		Ask the group to pray for her.
Incorrect answer, please choose another answer.

The CHPN exam gives registered nurses a credential which demonstrates that they are specially qualified to work with patients with life limiting illness and their families. The exam consists of 150 questions and a candidate is given 3 hours to complete the exam. To learn more about the exam, read our CHPN Test Guide.

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