These CHPN practice questions target assessment — including PPS, Palliative Performance Scale, Total Care. The complete CHPN deck holds 1000 flashcards, 130 of them dedicated to this topic. Study the free samples below, then unlock the whole collection for a one-time $7.
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A patient with metastatic breast cancer remains ambulatory but can no longer perform any housework or hobbies. She is fully independent with all ADLs, has a normal appetite, and is fully alert. What is her Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) score?
Show answer →PPS 70%. Rationale: The patient is Ambulatory with Reduced activity (cannot do hobby/work), but Full self-care. HPCC Exam Tip: The key differentiator between 70% and 60% is self-care. At 70%, self-care is Full. At 60%, the patient requires Occasional Assistance. Even with Extensive Disease, the highest level of function in any category usually anchors the score toward the higher percentage, but Ambulation is the primary guide.
A patient with end-stage COPD spends the majority of the day sitting in a recliner. He can walk short distances to the bathroom with a walker but requires help with bathing and dressing. Intake is reduced. What is the PPS score?
Show answer →PPS 50%. Rationale: The patient is Mainly Sit/Lie and requires Occasional Assistance for self-care. His activity level is Unable to do any work with Extensive Disease. Clinical Pearl: PPS 50% is a major clinical milestone often used for hospice transition discussions. The patient has moved from being primarily mobile (60%) to primarily sedentary (50%). Distinguish from 40% where the patient is Mainly in Bed.
A patient with advanced dementia is now bedbound and requires total assistance for all ADLs and feeding. She takes only small sips of liquids and is frequently drowsy or confused. What is the most accurate PPS score?
Show answer →PPS 20%. Rationale: Bedbound, Total Care, Minimal Sips, and Confusion/Drowsy all align with PPS 20%. Exam Tip: To distinguish 20% from 10%, look at intake and LOC. PPS 20% involves Minimal Sips and Confusion/Drowsy, whereas PPS 10% involves Mouth care only and Coma. Both require Total Care and are Bedbound.
When using the PPS to assess a patient, you find that Ambulation is Mainly in Bed, Self-Care is Total Care, and Intake is Normal. Following the Left-to-Right rule of PPS interpretation, what is the score?
Show answer →PPS 30%. Rationale: The PPS is read from left to right. Ambulation is the primary determinant. If a patient is Mainly in Bed, they could be 40% or 30%. However, the Self-Care category for 40% is As mainly assistance, while 30% is Total Care. Since the patient requires Total Care, the score drops to 30% despite Normal intake. HPCC Exam Strategy: Always prioritize the leftmost columns (Ambulation, Activity, Self-Care) over the rightmost (Intake, LOC).
A patient is able to walk around the house but requires assistance with most ADLs due to significant fatigue and weakness. They are unable to perform any household chores. Intake is normal and they are alert. What is the PPS score?
Show answer →PPS 60%. Rationale: The patient is Ambulatory, but the presence of Occasional Assistance for self-care and being Unable to do any work/hobby confirms 60%. Exam Tip: Distinguish 60% from 50% by looking at Ambulation. At 60%, they are still Ambulatory (can walk). At 50%, they are Mainly Sit/Lie. Assistance at 60% is usually for more complex tasks (bathing/dressing), whereas 70% is completely independent.
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Try 30 free CHPN cards firstThe full CHPN deck contains 1000 flashcards, and 130 of them focus on assessment. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CHPN deck dedicates 130 of 1000 cards (13%) to assessment — always cross-check the official HPCC exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the CHPN preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1000 cards is a one-time $7.
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