NSC 242 FINAL COPY STUDY GUIDE:
COMMUNICATING AT THE END OF
LIFE. EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026.
What is loss and how does it affect people - ANS - Absence
- People who suffer the loss is someone or something important effectively lose their sense of
wholeness
- Time never fully erases the sense of loss
What components does death have - ANS Spiritual, social, and cultural component
Each person approaches death ____ - ANS Differently
Their individual reaction is to be - ANS Respected not challenged
Most clients identify fear of - ANS Pain and dying alone as primary fears
Signs of impending death - ANS 1. Pain intensifies
2. Fatigue, breathlessness, drowsiness increases
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, 3. Long periods of sleeping; coma
4. Decreased urinary output
5. Disorientation; hallucinations
6. Increased pharyngeal secretions
7. Decreased appetite
What common names are associated with fatigue, breathlessness, and drowsiness -
ANS Cheyne-Stokes respirations and Apnea
What name is associated with increased pharyngeal secretions - ANS Death rattles
Nurse is the —— when caring for imminently dying clients - ANS Gatekeeper
- Attends to clients needs while focusing on family's needs and fears
What medications decrease air hunger and make the client appear more comfortable and ease
work of breathing. These also help with fear of death, in small doses, and tolerance -
ANS Morphine and Lorazepam
What should you encourage the family to do when caring for imminently dying clients -
ANS Speak to the client even if they are unresponsive
You should create what kind of environment - ANS Care environment where the dying
individual is valued, comforted, and treated as a unique individual
What is palliative care? - ANS Comprehensive philosophy of care aimed at treating symptoms
associated with treatment as well as providing support for the client and their family
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
COMMUNICATING AT THE END OF
LIFE. EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026.
What is loss and how does it affect people - ANS - Absence
- People who suffer the loss is someone or something important effectively lose their sense of
wholeness
- Time never fully erases the sense of loss
What components does death have - ANS Spiritual, social, and cultural component
Each person approaches death ____ - ANS Differently
Their individual reaction is to be - ANS Respected not challenged
Most clients identify fear of - ANS Pain and dying alone as primary fears
Signs of impending death - ANS 1. Pain intensifies
2. Fatigue, breathlessness, drowsiness increases
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, 3. Long periods of sleeping; coma
4. Decreased urinary output
5. Disorientation; hallucinations
6. Increased pharyngeal secretions
7. Decreased appetite
What common names are associated with fatigue, breathlessness, and drowsiness -
ANS Cheyne-Stokes respirations and Apnea
What name is associated with increased pharyngeal secretions - ANS Death rattles
Nurse is the —— when caring for imminently dying clients - ANS Gatekeeper
- Attends to clients needs while focusing on family's needs and fears
What medications decrease air hunger and make the client appear more comfortable and ease
work of breathing. These also help with fear of death, in small doses, and tolerance -
ANS Morphine and Lorazepam
What should you encourage the family to do when caring for imminently dying clients -
ANS Speak to the client even if they are unresponsive
You should create what kind of environment - ANS Care environment where the dying
individual is valued, comforted, and treated as a unique individual
What is palliative care? - ANS Comprehensive philosophy of care aimed at treating symptoms
associated with treatment as well as providing support for the client and their family
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
