Q.1 What is the primary goal of palliative care in oncology?
To cure cancer completely
To provide relief from symptoms and improve quality of life
To accelerate treatment
To limit patient visits to the hospital
Explanation - Palliative care focuses on alleviating symptoms, reducing suffering, and improving the quality of life for patients, regardless of the stage of the disease.
Correct answer is: To provide relief from symptoms and improve quality of life
Q.2 Which symptom is commonly managed in end-of-life care for cancer patients?
Hypertension
Pain
Fractures
Asthma
Explanation - Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms in advanced cancer and must be actively managed to improve patient comfort.
Correct answer is: Pain
Q.3 Which scale is commonly used to assess pain in non-verbal oncology patients?
Glasgow Coma Scale
FLACC scale
Braden Scale
APGAR Score
Explanation - The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is used to assess pain in patients unable to communicate verbally.
Correct answer is: FLACC scale
Q.4 What is the key principle in communicating prognosis in end-of-life care?
Avoid mentioning death to prevent distress
Provide honest and compassionate information
Give false hope to maintain morale
Discuss only treatment options
Explanation - Clear, honest, and empathetic communication helps patients and families make informed decisions and prepare for end-of-life care.
Correct answer is: Provide honest and compassionate information
Q.5 Which medication class is commonly used to manage severe cancer pain at end-of-life?
Opioids
NSAIDs
Antibiotics
Antivirals
Explanation - Opioids, such as morphine, are the mainstay for managing severe pain in advanced cancer patients.
Correct answer is: Opioids
Q.6 Which of the following is an important nursing intervention for a dying patient?
Encouraging physical activity
Providing emotional support and dignity
Focusing solely on medical treatment
Limiting family presence
Explanation - Nurses play a crucial role in maintaining patient dignity, offering emotional support, and addressing spiritual needs at end-of-life.
Correct answer is: Providing emotional support and dignity
Q.7 Which of the following is a common psychological concern in terminal cancer patients?
Anxiety and depression
Hypertension
Hearing loss
Diabetes
Explanation - Terminal patients often experience anxiety, depression, fear, and existential distress, which need to be addressed by the healthcare team.
Correct answer is: Anxiety and depression
Q.8 What is the role of hospice care in oncology?
To provide aggressive curative treatment
To offer palliative care at the end of life
To conduct experimental drug trials
To prevent hospitalization entirely
Explanation - Hospice care focuses on comfort, symptom management, and emotional support for patients with terminal illness.
Correct answer is: To offer palliative care at the end of life
Q.9 Which is an indicator that a cancer patient may benefit from referral to palliative care?
Mild intermittent pain
Persistent, uncontrolled symptoms or frequent hospitalizations
Routine check-ups with no symptoms
Completion of chemotherapy
Explanation - Patients with uncontrolled symptoms, poor quality of life, or high healthcare utilization should be referred to palliative care.
Correct answer is: Persistent, uncontrolled symptoms or frequent hospitalizations
Q.10 Which intervention is appropriate for managing dyspnea in terminal cancer patients?
Oxygen therapy and opioids
Antihypertensive medication
Insulin therapy
Diuretics only
Explanation - Dyspnea can be relieved with supplemental oxygen, opioids, and positioning strategies in terminal cancer patients.
Correct answer is: Oxygen therapy and opioids
Q.11 What is the most appropriate approach for managing delirium at end-of-life?
Ignoring the symptoms
Providing a calm environment and medications if necessary
Performing invasive procedures
Restricting fluids
Explanation - Delirium management involves non-pharmacologic measures (calm environment, reassurance) and pharmacologic interventions if distressing.
Correct answer is: Providing a calm environment and medications if necessary
Q.12 Which of the following best describes 'total pain' in palliative care?
Pain experienced only in the physical sense
Pain that includes physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions
Pain limited to advanced stages of cancer
Pain due to procedural interventions only
Explanation - Total pain concept emphasizes addressing all dimensions of suffering, not just physical symptoms.
Correct answer is: Pain that includes physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions
Q.13 Which approach is best for managing nausea and vomiting in end-of-life cancer patients?
Hydration and antiemetics
Painkillers only
High-fiber diet
Diuretics
Explanation - Symptom management for nausea includes hydration, antiemetics, and addressing underlying causes.
Correct answer is: Hydration and antiemetics
Q.14 Which of the following is a common spiritual need of patients at end-of-life?
Meaning, hope, and reconciliation
Financial advice
Physical exercise guidance
Dietary counseling
Explanation - Spiritual care in palliative oncology involves addressing existential questions, hope, and reconciliation with self and others.
Correct answer is: Meaning, hope, and reconciliation
Q.15 What is the most important consideration when discontinuing aggressive treatment at end-of-life?
Patient and family preferences and comfort
Physician convenience
Insurance coverage
Hospital protocols only
Explanation - Decisions to stop aggressive therapy should prioritize patient comfort, quality of life, and informed consent.
Correct answer is: Patient and family preferences and comfort
Q.16 Which nursing action helps reduce suffering during the dying process?
Providing emotional support, pain relief, and symptom management
Focusing only on documentation
Isolating the patient
Limiting family visits
Explanation - Nursing care at end-of-life centers on alleviating physical, emotional, and psychological suffering.
Correct answer is: Providing emotional support, pain relief, and symptom management
Q.17 Which of the following is a key component of advance care planning?
Discussing patient preferences for future medical care
Deciding only after emergency occurs
Family making all decisions without patient input
Focusing only on financial planning
Explanation - Advance care planning ensures that patients' wishes regarding end-of-life care are known and respected.
Correct answer is: Discussing patient preferences for future medical care
Q.18 What is a key ethical principle in palliative care?
Autonomy
Profitability
Hospital reputation
Speed of discharge
Explanation - Respecting patient autonomy, including informed decision-making, is fundamental in palliative and end-of-life care.
Correct answer is: Autonomy
Q.19 Which of the following is considered a comfort measure at end-of-life?
Frequent repositioning to prevent bedsores
Intensive chemotherapy
Daily physical therapy exercises
Hospital lab tests
Explanation - Comfort measures include interventions that relieve discomfort and maintain dignity, such as repositioning and skin care.
Correct answer is: Frequent repositioning to prevent bedsores
Q.20 Which of the following best describes the goal of sedation at end-of-life?
To relieve intractable suffering when symptoms cannot be controlled otherwise
To hasten death
To cure disease
To replace pain medication
Explanation - Palliative sedation is used ethically to relieve severe suffering while maintaining appropriate care standards.
Correct answer is: To relieve intractable suffering when symptoms cannot be controlled otherwise
Q.21 Which of the following is a common sign of approaching death in cancer patients?
Decreased level of consciousness and irregular breathing
Increased appetite
Rapid weight gain
Normal energy levels
Explanation - Signs of imminent death often include changes in consciousness, breathing patterns, and decreased oral intake.
Correct answer is: Decreased level of consciousness and irregular breathing
Q.22 Family support in palliative care is important because:
It helps families cope with anticipatory grief and improves patient well-being
It delays treatment decisions
It reduces hospital revenue
It is not essential
Explanation - Involving families in care planning and support reduces stress, improves communication, and enhances patient-centered care.
Correct answer is: It helps families cope with anticipatory grief and improves patient well-being
Q.23 Which approach is appropriate when managing constipation in terminal cancer patients?
Use of laxatives, hydration, and dietary adjustments
Ignoring it as natural
Surgical intervention only
Fasting
Explanation - Constipation is common due to opioids and reduced mobility; proactive management improves patient comfort.
Correct answer is: Use of laxatives, hydration, and dietary adjustments
Q.24 Which of the following is an important component of holistic palliative care?
Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support
Focusing only on physical symptoms
Administrative tasks
Limiting patient-family communication
Explanation - Holistic care addresses all dimensions of a patient's suffering, ensuring comprehensive support.
Correct answer is: Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support