Page 1 of 187
RNSG 2231 HESI EXTRA CREDIT MODULE 9
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED
A+ GUARANTEED SUCCESS LATEST UPDATE
1. A nurse is explaining palliative care to a patient with
heart failure. Which statement best describes palliative
care?
A. "It is only for patients with cancer who are actively dying."
B. "It focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of
life at any stage of illness."
C. "It requires stopping all curative treatments."
D. "It is the same as hospice care."
Answer: B
Rationale: Palliative care is appropriate at any age or stage
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of serious illness and can be given alongside curative
treatment. Hospice is a subset for the last 6 months of life.
2. A patient asks, "What is the difference between palliative
care and hospice?" Which response is correct?
A. "Hospice is for people who have given up hope."
B. "Palliative care requires a terminal diagnosis; hospice does
not."
C. "Hospice is a type of palliative care for patients with a life
expectancy of 6 months or less."
D. "There is no difference."
Answer: C
Rationale: Hospice is palliative care focused on end of life
(≤6 months prognosis, no curative intent). Palliative care is
broader and can start at diagnosis.
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3. A nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who reports
pain as 8/10. Which principle guides pain management at
end of life?
A. Opioids should be avoided to prevent respiratory
depression.
B. Pain management should prioritize non-pharmacologic
methods first.
C. Analgesics should be given around the clock, not PRN only.
D. Morphine should be used only when death is imminent.
Answer: C
Rationale: Around-the-clock dosing prevents breakthrough
pain. Fear of respiratory depression is overestimated in dying
patients; comfort is priority.
4. Which medication is most appropriate for managing
dyspnea in a dying patient with severe COPD?
A. Albuterol nebulizer only
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B. Morphine sulfate
C. Methylprednisolone
D. Midazolam
Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine reduces respiratory drive, anxiety, and
work of breathing, improving comfort. Albuterol may help but
morphine is first-line in terminal dyspnea.
5. A family member asks, "Will giving morphine cause my
mother to die sooner?" The nurse's best response is:
A. "Yes, but she won't feel any pain."
B. "Morphine is given to intentionally hasten death."
C. "When used appropriately, morphine relieves suffering
without shortening life."
D. "We only use morphine when death is hours away."
Answer: C
Rationale: This reflects the principle of double effect—
RNSG 2231 HESI EXTRA CREDIT MODULE 9
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED
A+ GUARANTEED SUCCESS LATEST UPDATE
1. A nurse is explaining palliative care to a patient with
heart failure. Which statement best describes palliative
care?
A. "It is only for patients with cancer who are actively dying."
B. "It focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of
life at any stage of illness."
C. "It requires stopping all curative treatments."
D. "It is the same as hospice care."
Answer: B
Rationale: Palliative care is appropriate at any age or stage
,Page 2 of 187
of serious illness and can be given alongside curative
treatment. Hospice is a subset for the last 6 months of life.
2. A patient asks, "What is the difference between palliative
care and hospice?" Which response is correct?
A. "Hospice is for people who have given up hope."
B. "Palliative care requires a terminal diagnosis; hospice does
not."
C. "Hospice is a type of palliative care for patients with a life
expectancy of 6 months or less."
D. "There is no difference."
Answer: C
Rationale: Hospice is palliative care focused on end of life
(≤6 months prognosis, no curative intent). Palliative care is
broader and can start at diagnosis.
,Page 3 of 187
3. A nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who reports
pain as 8/10. Which principle guides pain management at
end of life?
A. Opioids should be avoided to prevent respiratory
depression.
B. Pain management should prioritize non-pharmacologic
methods first.
C. Analgesics should be given around the clock, not PRN only.
D. Morphine should be used only when death is imminent.
Answer: C
Rationale: Around-the-clock dosing prevents breakthrough
pain. Fear of respiratory depression is overestimated in dying
patients; comfort is priority.
4. Which medication is most appropriate for managing
dyspnea in a dying patient with severe COPD?
A. Albuterol nebulizer only
, Page 4 of 187
B. Morphine sulfate
C. Methylprednisolone
D. Midazolam
Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine reduces respiratory drive, anxiety, and
work of breathing, improving comfort. Albuterol may help but
morphine is first-line in terminal dyspnea.
5. A family member asks, "Will giving morphine cause my
mother to die sooner?" The nurse's best response is:
A. "Yes, but she won't feel any pain."
B. "Morphine is given to intentionally hasten death."
C. "When used appropriately, morphine relieves suffering
without shortening life."
D. "We only use morphine when death is hours away."
Answer: C
Rationale: This reflects the principle of double effect—
