2024 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
PART SEVEN EXAM WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Chapter 60 Compassion Fatigue
1. An oncology nurse's coworker has been exhibiting increased behaviors of
emotional distress after several patient deaths. The oncology nurse is
concerned that these symptoms may be signs of which one of the following?
A. chronic job stress
B. compassion fatigue
C. moral distress
D. hyperactivity - CORRECT-ANSWERS1. Answer: B
Rationale: Compassion fatigue is a state of physical and emotional distress,
or apathy which results from caring for those experiencing pain or is a result
of the constant demands of caring for other. For example, those patients
seen on an inpatient oncology unit or in a busy infusion area are populations
with constant demanding care needs. Exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy
from chronic job stress are symptoms of burnout. Compassion fatigue is
often correlated with burnout, but there are differences. C and D are not
syndromes relating to any problem.
2. An oncology nurse working on a bone marrow transplant unit may be at
risk for developing compassion fatigue. A factor that may increase her risk
includes which one of the following?
A. being married with children
B. overconfidence in caring for patients
C. caring for high-acuity patients over a long period of time
D. having more than 10 years oncology nursing experience - CORRECT-
ANSWERS2. Answer: C
Rationale: Caring for high acuity patients and working under high levels of
stress with a large caseload on an inpatient unit such as those on a bone
marrow transplant unit over a long period of time can cause compassion
fatigue. Other risk factors include nurses who are young and single with less
than 10 years of experience in the nursing. Overconfidence is not a risk
factor; having a high level of self-judgment imposed by either the nurse or
the employer puts the nurse at risk for developing compassion fatigue.
,3. Suggested activities for an oncology nurse displaying symptoms of
compassion fatigue might include which one of the following?
A. going out for drinks and staying out late with friends
B. scheduling a day at a spa for a massage and facial
C. avoid talking with anyone about issues with work
D. frequent resting in bed when not at work - CORRECT-ANSWERS3. Answer:
B
Rationale: Scheduling a day at a spa is a way of managing compassion
fatigue because the nurse is doing something for herself and exhibits self-
care. Other self-care activities include good nutrition and sleep. Staying out
late and binge drinking are not ways of managing self-care. This may be a
behavioral sign of compassion fatigue. Adequate sleep is recommended;
however, lying in bed for weeks at a time is not. Getting the adequate
amount of sleep along with exercise is a better way of taking care of one's
self. Verbalizing feelings to friends, family, and coworkers may offer support.
Speaking to facility social workers or chaplains may also provide counseling
and support.
4. An oncology nurse is concerned about a long-time coworker on her
nursing unit because she has become distant and distracted. When
questioned, the coworker states that she is just overwhelmed and
exhausted. The coworker may be experiencing which one of the following?
A. chronic fatigue syndrome
B. compassion fatigue
C. burnout
D. a cognitive disorder - CORRECT-ANSWERS4. Answer: C
Rationale: Burnout occurs over a prolonged period of time and is due to
chronic job stressors. Individuals with burnout may experience cognitive,
emotional, or physical exhaustion, feelings of detachment and distancing
from work, including social interactions. They may also have feelings of
incompetence and being overwhelmed. Compassion fatigue is emotional and
physical distress due to the prolonged demands of caring for high acuity
individuals or those in pain. Chronic fatigue syndrome is an unexplained
medical disorder. Cognitive disorders are related to cognitive disabilities and
may include confusion and poor judgment.
5. An oncology nurse working on a unit where there is a heavy caseload and
high levels of stress may best be assessed for secondary distress disorders
through use of which one of the following?
A. Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale
B. Mini Mental Status Exam
C. Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL)
, D. Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Services Survey MBI-HSS - CORRECT-
ANSWERS5. Answer: C
Rationale: While the Maslach Burnout inventory is an assessment tool used
for diagnosing compassion fatigue, the Professional Quality of Life Scale
(ProQOL) uses subscales including assessing for secondary stress disorder,
burnout, and compassion satisfaction. The tool is easy to use and score and
is the most commonly used. The secondary scales provide more extensive
assessment data. The Mental Status exam and Montreal Cognitive
Assessment scale are frequently used to assess cognitive changes in
individuals.
6. Which one of the following is an example of a self-reflection exercise that
a nurse could try as part of self-care management?
A. Indulging in a massage
B. Exercise (recommend three to four times weekly for 20-30 minutes)
C. Enjoying a hobby, listening to music, humor, and enjoying nature
D. Making time for prayer and meditation - CORRECT-ANSWERS6. Answer: D
Rationale: Making time for prayer and meditation is an example of a self-
reflection exercise that a nurse can try as part of self-care management.
Spending time in prayer or in mediation is a good way to center thoughts
and allow for self-reflection. Indulging in a massage, spending time exercise
(recommend three to four times weekly for 20-30 minutes), and enjoying a
hobby, listening to music, humor, and enjoying nature are all activities that
emphasize self-care.
7. Which one of the following is an example of managing self-care through
grief counseling and support?
A. Nutrition and eating well
B. Send cards to the family, reminisce about time spent with patients,
sometimes attend the funeral of patients with whom there has been a close
bond
C. Activities that focus a person's attention on the present experience,
becoming more aware of one's physical, mental, and emotional condition, in
a way that is nonjudgmental.
D. Schedule preventive and medical care appointments - CORRECT-
ANSWERS7. Answer: C
Rationale: An example of managing self-care through grief counseling and
support are through activities that focus a person's attention on the present
experience, becoming more aware of one's physical, mental, and emotional
condition, in a way that is nonjudgmental. Mindfulness has been shown to be
effective at reducing stress. The interventions can be offered individually or
in a group setting. Establishing good nutrition and eating well, as well as
PART SEVEN EXAM WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Chapter 60 Compassion Fatigue
1. An oncology nurse's coworker has been exhibiting increased behaviors of
emotional distress after several patient deaths. The oncology nurse is
concerned that these symptoms may be signs of which one of the following?
A. chronic job stress
B. compassion fatigue
C. moral distress
D. hyperactivity - CORRECT-ANSWERS1. Answer: B
Rationale: Compassion fatigue is a state of physical and emotional distress,
or apathy which results from caring for those experiencing pain or is a result
of the constant demands of caring for other. For example, those patients
seen on an inpatient oncology unit or in a busy infusion area are populations
with constant demanding care needs. Exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy
from chronic job stress are symptoms of burnout. Compassion fatigue is
often correlated with burnout, but there are differences. C and D are not
syndromes relating to any problem.
2. An oncology nurse working on a bone marrow transplant unit may be at
risk for developing compassion fatigue. A factor that may increase her risk
includes which one of the following?
A. being married with children
B. overconfidence in caring for patients
C. caring for high-acuity patients over a long period of time
D. having more than 10 years oncology nursing experience - CORRECT-
ANSWERS2. Answer: C
Rationale: Caring for high acuity patients and working under high levels of
stress with a large caseload on an inpatient unit such as those on a bone
marrow transplant unit over a long period of time can cause compassion
fatigue. Other risk factors include nurses who are young and single with less
than 10 years of experience in the nursing. Overconfidence is not a risk
factor; having a high level of self-judgment imposed by either the nurse or
the employer puts the nurse at risk for developing compassion fatigue.
,3. Suggested activities for an oncology nurse displaying symptoms of
compassion fatigue might include which one of the following?
A. going out for drinks and staying out late with friends
B. scheduling a day at a spa for a massage and facial
C. avoid talking with anyone about issues with work
D. frequent resting in bed when not at work - CORRECT-ANSWERS3. Answer:
B
Rationale: Scheduling a day at a spa is a way of managing compassion
fatigue because the nurse is doing something for herself and exhibits self-
care. Other self-care activities include good nutrition and sleep. Staying out
late and binge drinking are not ways of managing self-care. This may be a
behavioral sign of compassion fatigue. Adequate sleep is recommended;
however, lying in bed for weeks at a time is not. Getting the adequate
amount of sleep along with exercise is a better way of taking care of one's
self. Verbalizing feelings to friends, family, and coworkers may offer support.
Speaking to facility social workers or chaplains may also provide counseling
and support.
4. An oncology nurse is concerned about a long-time coworker on her
nursing unit because she has become distant and distracted. When
questioned, the coworker states that she is just overwhelmed and
exhausted. The coworker may be experiencing which one of the following?
A. chronic fatigue syndrome
B. compassion fatigue
C. burnout
D. a cognitive disorder - CORRECT-ANSWERS4. Answer: C
Rationale: Burnout occurs over a prolonged period of time and is due to
chronic job stressors. Individuals with burnout may experience cognitive,
emotional, or physical exhaustion, feelings of detachment and distancing
from work, including social interactions. They may also have feelings of
incompetence and being overwhelmed. Compassion fatigue is emotional and
physical distress due to the prolonged demands of caring for high acuity
individuals or those in pain. Chronic fatigue syndrome is an unexplained
medical disorder. Cognitive disorders are related to cognitive disabilities and
may include confusion and poor judgment.
5. An oncology nurse working on a unit where there is a heavy caseload and
high levels of stress may best be assessed for secondary distress disorders
through use of which one of the following?
A. Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale
B. Mini Mental Status Exam
C. Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL)
, D. Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Services Survey MBI-HSS - CORRECT-
ANSWERS5. Answer: C
Rationale: While the Maslach Burnout inventory is an assessment tool used
for diagnosing compassion fatigue, the Professional Quality of Life Scale
(ProQOL) uses subscales including assessing for secondary stress disorder,
burnout, and compassion satisfaction. The tool is easy to use and score and
is the most commonly used. The secondary scales provide more extensive
assessment data. The Mental Status exam and Montreal Cognitive
Assessment scale are frequently used to assess cognitive changes in
individuals.
6. Which one of the following is an example of a self-reflection exercise that
a nurse could try as part of self-care management?
A. Indulging in a massage
B. Exercise (recommend three to four times weekly for 20-30 minutes)
C. Enjoying a hobby, listening to music, humor, and enjoying nature
D. Making time for prayer and meditation - CORRECT-ANSWERS6. Answer: D
Rationale: Making time for prayer and meditation is an example of a self-
reflection exercise that a nurse can try as part of self-care management.
Spending time in prayer or in mediation is a good way to center thoughts
and allow for self-reflection. Indulging in a massage, spending time exercise
(recommend three to four times weekly for 20-30 minutes), and enjoying a
hobby, listening to music, humor, and enjoying nature are all activities that
emphasize self-care.
7. Which one of the following is an example of managing self-care through
grief counseling and support?
A. Nutrition and eating well
B. Send cards to the family, reminisce about time spent with patients,
sometimes attend the funeral of patients with whom there has been a close
bond
C. Activities that focus a person's attention on the present experience,
becoming more aware of one's physical, mental, and emotional condition, in
a way that is nonjudgmental.
D. Schedule preventive and medical care appointments - CORRECT-
ANSWERS7. Answer: C
Rationale: An example of managing self-care through grief counseling and
support are through activities that focus a person's attention on the present
experience, becoming more aware of one's physical, mental, and emotional
condition, in a way that is nonjudgmental. Mindfulness has been shown to be
effective at reducing stress. The interventions can be offered individually or
in a group setting. Establishing good nutrition and eating well, as well as
