Chapter 12: Palliative Care Cherry: Contemporary Nursing: Issues, Trends, and
Management, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. According to the Palliative Performance Scale which patient is considered to possess 70% of
normal function?
a. 40 year old diagnosed with AIDS whose condition makes it impossible to hold a job.
b. 70 year old diagnosed with end stage renal failure who spends most of the day in bed.
c. 50 year old diagnosed with emphysema whose disease has begun to impact normal
ambulate.
d. 30 year old diagnosed with muscular dystrophy who is bed bound.
ANS: A
70% function implies that the patient has a reduction in ambulation and the disease process
affect ability to hold a job.
DIF:Application
2. The Karnofsky prognostication scale is most appropriately used to screen patients with which
medical diagnoses?
a. Respiratory diseases
b. Cancers
c. Cardiac diseases
d. AIDS
ANS: B
The Karnofsky scale is more appropriate for the patient with a cancer diagnosis.
DIF:Comprehension
3. A peaceful death is best characterized by which terminally ill patient?
, a. One who is surrounded by family
b. One who uses meditation to help manage pain
c. One who has advanced directives in place
d. One who has drifted from lethargy to coma
ANS: D
A peaceful death is generally described as being peaceful and comfortable with the patient
drifting though the various stages of alertness to finally being comatose.
DIF:Application
4. Which patient‘s decision-making capacity should be a concern for the palliative care nurse?
a. The one who asks, ―Why do I need palliative care?‖
b. The patient with a diagnosis of moderate Alzheimer‘s disease
c. The one whose family is used to being consult about decisions affecting the patient
d. The patient who has expressed concerns about ―all the decisions I have to make‖
ANS: B
Decision-making capacity focuses on one‘s ability to make decisions about their health care.
They must be able to understand the facts, appreciate the alternatives that may exist, and to
communicate these decisions to the health care team. Moderate Alzheimer‘s disease is likely
to have an affect the patient‘s cognitive ability.
DIF:Analysis
5. What is the primary factor that characterizes a patient receiving palliative care?
a. A diagnosis of a serious, life-threatening disease
b. Ability to make sound health care decisions
c. An interest in exploring available life-sustaining treatment options
d. A life expectancy of less than 12 months
Management, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. According to the Palliative Performance Scale which patient is considered to possess 70% of
normal function?
a. 40 year old diagnosed with AIDS whose condition makes it impossible to hold a job.
b. 70 year old diagnosed with end stage renal failure who spends most of the day in bed.
c. 50 year old diagnosed with emphysema whose disease has begun to impact normal
ambulate.
d. 30 year old diagnosed with muscular dystrophy who is bed bound.
ANS: A
70% function implies that the patient has a reduction in ambulation and the disease process
affect ability to hold a job.
DIF:Application
2. The Karnofsky prognostication scale is most appropriately used to screen patients with which
medical diagnoses?
a. Respiratory diseases
b. Cancers
c. Cardiac diseases
d. AIDS
ANS: B
The Karnofsky scale is more appropriate for the patient with a cancer diagnosis.
DIF:Comprehension
3. A peaceful death is best characterized by which terminally ill patient?
, a. One who is surrounded by family
b. One who uses meditation to help manage pain
c. One who has advanced directives in place
d. One who has drifted from lethargy to coma
ANS: D
A peaceful death is generally described as being peaceful and comfortable with the patient
drifting though the various stages of alertness to finally being comatose.
DIF:Application
4. Which patient‘s decision-making capacity should be a concern for the palliative care nurse?
a. The one who asks, ―Why do I need palliative care?‖
b. The patient with a diagnosis of moderate Alzheimer‘s disease
c. The one whose family is used to being consult about decisions affecting the patient
d. The patient who has expressed concerns about ―all the decisions I have to make‖
ANS: B
Decision-making capacity focuses on one‘s ability to make decisions about their health care.
They must be able to understand the facts, appreciate the alternatives that may exist, and to
communicate these decisions to the health care team. Moderate Alzheimer‘s disease is likely
to have an affect the patient‘s cognitive ability.
DIF:Analysis
5. What is the primary factor that characterizes a patient receiving palliative care?
a. A diagnosis of a serious, life-threatening disease
b. Ability to make sound health care decisions
c. An interest in exploring available life-sustaining treatment options
d. A life expectancy of less than 12 months
