Preparing for the CHPN (Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse) exam? Management is one of the areas our deck drills hardest: 280 of its 1000 flashcards focus on management, covering topics like PPS, MHB, Palliative Performance Scale, Medicare Hospice Benefit. Try the sample questions below — every card is a real question-and-answer pair from the full deck.
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1000
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A patient with lung cancer has a Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) score of 40%. They are mainly in bed, require assistance for all self-care, and have reduced intake. How does this score correlate with prognosis and the Medicare Hospice Benefit (MHB)?
Show answer →A PPS of **40% or lower** is a significant threshold used to justify hospice eligibility. At 40%, the patient is mainly in bed, requires extensive assistance, and usually has a median survival measured in weeks to months. **Exam Strategy:** HPCC frequently tests PPS levels. Remember: 100% is normal; 50% is the tipping point (cannot do any work, significant assistance needed); 30% is totally bedbound.\
A patient with advanced COPD and an O2 saturation of 92% (at baseline) experiences dyspnea on exertion. What is the evidence-based first-line non-pharmacologic intervention?
Show answer →A hand-held fan directed at the face. Rationale: For non-hypoxemic patients (or those at their stable baseline), supplemental oxygen does not provide superior relief compared to room air delivered via a fan. Oxygen should be reserved for those with significant hypoxemia (typically <88-90% or as specified by goals of care). HPCC Exam Strategy: Watch for oxygen as a distractor for dyspnea when the patient is not hypoxemic. The fan is the gold standard non-pharm intervention in modern palliative guidelines for this scenario.
A patient with a malodorous malignant wound prefers natural treatments. Which evidence-based dressing provides autolytic debridement, lowers pH to inhibit bacteria, and effectively reduces odor?
Show answer →Medical-grade Manuka Honey (Leptospermum honey). It works through several mechanisms: its high osmolarity draws out exudate; its low pH (3.2–4.5) inhibits bacterial growth; and it promotes autolytic debridement of necrotic tissue, which is the source of the odor. \n\nExam Strategy: Be aware of the stinging sensation some patients report with honey dressings due to the acidity. If the patient has significant pain at the wound site, honey may not be the first choice. HPCC looks for the nurse's ability to match the dressing to both the wound's needs and the patient's preferences.
A CHPN asks a patient, What is your understanding of why we did the CT scan yesterday? Which step of the SPIKES protocol is being addressed, and what is the primary goal?
Show answer →This is the Perception (P) step. The goal is to assess the patient's level of understanding and identify any gaps or denial. Using the Ask-Tell-Ask strategy allows the nurse to tailor the information to the patient's literacy level and emotional state. Exam Tip: HPCC often tests this as the step that prevents information overload by establishing a baseline before delivering news.
When preparing a 7-year-old for the funeral of a sibling, which approach by the hospice nurse aligns with 2026 best practices for pediatric grief support?
Show answer →Preparation and Choice. Explain exactly what the child will see, hear, and feel (e.g., The body will feel cold and won't move). Give the child a specific job (e.g., placing a drawing in the casket) to provide a sense of agency. Ensure a designated support person is present solely for the child, ready to leave if the child becomes overwhelmed. HPCC Exam Tip: Never force attendance. The choice is the therapeutic element. Distractors often suggest children under 10 should stay home; current evidence refutes this if the child is prepared.
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The full CHPN deck contains 1000 flashcards, and 280 of them focus on management. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CHPN deck dedicates 280 of 1000 cards (28%) to management — 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.