Palliative Care

Question 1

1.
A patient is taking 2 oxycodone/acetaminophen tablets (5 mg/325 mg), 6 times a day. What is the
equivalent dose of a long-acting morphine preparation?
A. 15 mg q12
B. 15 mg q8h
C. 30 mg q12
D. 30 mg q8h
E. 45 mg q12

Answer 1

C

Question 2

2.
Mrs. Jensen is a 72 year/old woman with multiple sclerosis. She is dying, is at home, and has severe
pain, currently receiving MS Contin 60 mg q12h and prn oral hydromorphone. The home hospice nurse
feels she needs parenteral opioids. She is unable to swallow medication and has no intravenous access.
Which of the following is the most appropriate route to recommend for opioid analgesic administration?
A. Intramuscular
B. Intravenous via Hickman catheter or Mediport
C. Intravenous via PICC line catheter
D. Intravenous via peripheral IV catheter
E. Subcutaneous

Answer 2

E

Question 3

3.
A 67 y/o man with prostate cancer has increasingly severe pain over the Left hip. Over the past two
weeks the pain has worsened requiring increasing doses of opioid analgesics. The pain is constant,
aching and well localized; there is no referred pain. Increasing pain in this patient most likely represents:
A. Drug seeking behavior
B. New onset depression
C. Opioid addiction
D. Opioid tolerance
E. Worsening metastatic cancer

Answer 3

E

Question 4

4.
Pain that is described as “dull, achy” and is well localized, is best described as:
A. Autonomic pain
B. Neuropathic pain
C. Somatic pain
D. Vascular pain
E. Visceral pain

Answer 4

C

Question 5

5.
After ingesting a dose of acetaminophen/oxycodone (Percocet), when would you expect a patient to
report the maximal analgesic effect; in:
A. 10--15 minutes
B. 30--45 minutes
C. 60--90 minutes
D. 120-150 minutes
E. 180-210 minutes

Answer 5

C

Question 6

6.
A patient is taking 12 oxycodone/acetaminophen tablets (5/325) per day with only partial relief. The most
appropriate next step in drug therapy for this patient would be to discontinue Percocet, and start:
A. oral hydrocodone (e.g. Vicodin, Lortab)
B. oral hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
C. oral long-acting morphine (e.g. MS Contin, Oramorph SR)
D. oral meperidine (Demerol)
E. oral tramadol (Ultram)

Answer 6

C

Question 7

7.
The most appropriate adjuvant analgesic for use when treating somatic pain is:
A. amitriptyline (Elavil)
B. clonidine (Catapres)
C. ibuprofen (Motrin)
D. lorazepam (Ativan)
E. neurontin (Gabapentin)

Answer 7

C

Question 8

8.
The most appropriate adjuvant analgesic for use when treating neuropathic pain is:
A. clonidine (Catapres)
B. dexamethasone (Decadron)
C. ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin)
D. lorazepam (Ativan)
E. nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Answer 8

E

Question 9

9.
The most appropriate first drug to prescribe to prevent opioid constipation is:
A. docusate (Colace)
B. bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
C. lactulose (Chronulac)
D. metoclopramide (Reglan)
E. senna concentrate (Senokot)

Answer 9

E

Question 10

10.
A 27 y/o woman with AIDS notes burning pain along the bottom of both feet. There is often a numbing
sensation; the pain limits her ability to walk. She recently began taking acetaminophen with codeine, 2
tabs q4H. She says the medicine provides no relief and it makes her feel sleepy. This woman’s pain is
best described as:
A. Autonomic pain
B. Neuropathic pain
C. Somatic pain
D. Vascular pain
E. Visceral pain

Answer 10

B

Question 11

11.
Oral hydromorphone (Dilaudid) can be safely administered for pain as often as every:
A. 2 hours
B. 3 hours
C. 4 hours
D. 5 hours
E. 6 hours

Answer 11

A

Question 12

12.
Which one of the following statements concerning nausea while taking opioids is true:
A. Nausea to opioids is due to bowel distention and stimulation of the vagus nerve
B. Nausea to opioids is due to decreased bowel motility
C. Nausea to opioids is usually accompanied with itching
D. Nausea to opioids represents a drug allergy
E. Nausea to opioids resolves in most patients within 7 days

Answer 12

E

Question 13

13.
Because of delayed onset of activity after the first application of a Duragesic Patch (transdermal fentanyl),
it is especially important to have breakthrough pain medicine available for the first:
A. 2-6 hours
B. 7-12 hours
C. 13-24 hours
D. 24-36 hours
E. 48-72 hours

Answer 13

C

Question 14

14.
Compared to morphine, which one of the following opioids is more likely to result in respiratory
depression during dose escalation:
A. hydrocodone (e.g. Vicodin or Lortab)
B. hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
C. meperidine (Demerol)
D. methadone (Dolophine)
E. oxycodone (e.g. Percocet)

Answer 14

D

Question 15

15.
For patients on chronic opioids, the most appropriate equianalgesic conversion ratio between oral and
intravenous morphine is:
A. 3 mg oral = 18 mg intravenous
B. 3 mg oral = 9 mg intravenous
C. 3 mg oral = 3 mg intravenous
D. 3 mg oral = 1 mg intravenous
E. 3 mg oral = 0.3 mg intravenous

Answer 15

D

Question 16

16.
The most appropriate equianalgesic conversion ratio between IV morphine and IV hydromorphone
(Dilaudid) is:
A. 1 mg morphine = 8 mg hydromorphone
B. 1 mg morphine = 4 mg hydromorphone
C. 1 mg morphine = 1 mg hydromorphone
D. 1 mg morphine = 0.50 mg hydromorphone
E. 1 mg morphine = 0.20 mg hydromorphone

Answer 16

E

Question 17

17.
The most appropriate equianalgesic conversion ration between IV morphine and Subcutaneous morphine
is:
A. 1.0 mg IV = 0.25 mg SQ
B. 1.0 mg IV = 0.5 mg SQ
C. 1.0 mg IV = 1.0 mg SQ
D. 1.0 mg IV = 2.0 mg SQ
E. 1.0 mg IV = 4.0 mg SQ

Answer 17

C

Question 18

18.
The single best indicator of opioid drug addiction (psychological dependence) is:
A. An increasing need for the drug over time
B. Complaint of pain exceeding that expected for a given medical problem
C. Development of a withdrawal syndrome when the drug is stopped
D. Evidence of adverse life consequences from drug use
E. Requesting a specific opioid by name

Answer 18

D

Question 19

19.
Which of the following drugs has been shown to improve appetite in advanced cancer patients:
A. conjugated estrogen (e.g. Premarin)
B. haloperidol (Haldol)
C. lorazepam (Ativan)
D. megesterol acetate (Megace)
E. procholrperazine (Compazine)

Answer 19

D

Question 20

20.
Which one of the following statements about treating terminal delirium is true:
A. Family members should leave the room to help decrease the agitation
B. Paradoxical worsening may occur after administration of a minor tranquilizer (e.g. Ativan or Valium)
C. Placing the patient in a dark room will help decrease sensory input and reduce the agitation
D. The drug treatment of choice is an anti-cholinergic medication
E. The drug treatment of choice is an opioid analgesic

Answer 20

B

Question 21

21.
Which one of the following statements about depression at end-of-life is true:
A. Clinical depression is a normal stage of the dying process
B. Depression associated with HIV is more difficult to treat than in cancer patients
C. Feelings of hopelessness/worthlessness are indicators of a clinical depression
D. The degree of appetite and sleep disturbance is predictive of response to anti-depressant medication
E. Tricyclic antidepressants are the first choice for drug therapy

Answer 21

C

Question 22

22.
The best drug choice to treat dyspnea in the dying patient is:
A. anti-cholinergic/anti-muscarinic (e.g. scopolamine)
B. anti-depressant (e.g. amitriptyline (Elavil))
C. anti-histamine (e.g. diphenhydramine (Benadryl))
D. local airway anesthetic (e.g. inhaled lidocaine)
E. opioid analgesic (e.g. morphine)

Answer 22

E

Question 23

23.
A 60 y/o woman has metastatic breast cancer with bone and pleural metastases. Her husband brings her
to clinic stating that over the past week she has noted fatigue, thirst and frequent need to urinate. On
examination she is dehydrated and lethargic but arousable, there are no focal neurological findings. Her
only medication is oral morphine. The most likely diagnosis of this new problem is:
A. Brain metastases
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypernatremia
E. Sepsis

Answer 23

B

Question 24

24.
The best class of drugs to treat “death rattle” is a(n):
A. anti-cholinergic/anti-muscarinic (e.g. scopolamine)
B. benzodiazepine (e.g. lorazepam (Ativan))
C. butyrophenone (e.g. haloperidol (Haldol))
D. local airway anesthetic (e.g. inhaled lidocaine)
E. opioid analgesic (e.g. morphine)

Answer 24

A

Question 25

25.
Comfort measures during the Syndrome of Imminent Death include all the following, except:
A. Anti-pyretic PRN fever
B. Changing body position frequently
C. Intravenous hydration
D. Lip balm
E. Morphine PRN respiratory distress

Answer 25

C

Question 26

26. At a daily dose of 240 mg of long-acting morphine, the most appropriate order for rescue
    (breakthrough) short-acting morphine (MSIR) is:
    A. 15 mg q 2h
    B. 30 mg q 2h
    C. 15 mg q 4h
    D. 30 mg q 4h
    E. 45 mg q 4h

Answer 26

B

Question 27

27.
Oral morphine used for breakthrough pain can be safely administered every:
A. 15-30 minutes
B. 1-2 hours
C. 3-4 hours
D. 5-6 hours
E. 7-8 hours

Answer 27

B

Question 28

28.
A patient has been taking 300 mg of long-acting morphine every 12 hours and an additional 120 mg of
prn doses of short acting morphine. You want to start him on an equivalent dose of an intravenous
morphine infusion; what is the equivalent morphine hourly rate:
A. 5 mg per hour
B. 10 mg per hour
C. 15 mg per hour
D. 20 mg per hour
E. 25 mg per hour

Answer 28

B

Question 29

29.
When using patient controlled analgesia, the lockout interval for a bolus (prn) dose should be set
between:
A. 5-30 minutes
B. 30-60 minutes
C. 60-90 minutes
D. 90-120 minutes
E. 120-180 minutes

Answer 29

A

Question 30

30.
The maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen is:
A. 2 grams
B. 4 grams
C. 6 grams
D. 8 grams
E. 10 grams

Answer 30

B

Question 31

31.
A man is receiving oral hydromorphone (Dilaudid) 10 mg every 4 hours. He needs to be NPO. What
would be the best equivalent Intravenous dose of Dilaudid, administered as a continuous infusion?
A. 0.1 mg per hour
B. 0.5 mg per hour
C. 1.0 mg per hour
D. 1.5 mg per hour
E. 2.5 mg per hour

Answer 31

B

Question 32

32.
The most important supplemental therapy to consider when starting patients on opioids for pain is:
A. Amphetamines to increase alertness
B. Antidepressants to supplement pain relief
C. Antiepileptic medications to treat neuropathic pain
D. Laxatives to prevent constipation
E. Non-steroidals (NSAID’s) to treat inflammation

Answer 32

D

Question 33

33.
A 87 year old woman with advanced osteoporosis has chronic back and hip pain, poorly controlled on 2
Percocet (5 mg oxycodone and 325 mg acetaminophen each) six times per day. The single best reason
not to increase the number of Percocet tablets is:
A. Non-steroidals (NSAID’s) are the best drug choice for bone pain
B. Oxycodone is a weak opioid
C. Oxycodone is contraindicated in the elderly
D. The maximal dose of oral oxycodone is 40 mg per 24 hours
E. The dose of acetaminophen would exceed the recommended level

Answer 33

E

Question 34

34.
Neuropathic pain is often characterized by episodes of:
A. Achy pain
B. Colicky pain
C. Gnawing pain
D. Shock-like pain
E. Squeezing pain

Answer 34

D

Question 35

35.
Patients with substance abuse and HIV:
A. Have pain that responds poorly to tricyclics or anticonvulsants
B. Should never receive opioids because of the risk of addictive behavior
C. Should not be treated with a fentanyl patch
D. Should only receive opioids on a PRN basis, not continuously
E. Will likely need higher doses of opioids to achieve similar pain relief

Answer 35

E

Question 36

36.
Three months after a patients death her husband comes to your office. He says that he sometimes thinks
that his wife is in the house talking with him, that he imagines he hears her voice, he has gained 10
pounds since her death, but otherwise feels well. He is concerned that he is “going crazy”. These
symptoms are most consistent with a:
A. Complicated grief reaction
B. Major depression
C. Normal grief reaction
D. Post-traumatic stress disorder
E. Psychotic disorder

Answer 36

C

Question 37

37.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a patient who is in a persistent vegetative state?:
A. The patient has no corneal, gag, or cough reflexes.
B. The patient has the ability to recognize family and friends
C. The patient is clinically brain dead
D. The patient is in a coma at first, but then recovers sleep-wake cycles
E. There is a 5% chance that the patient will recover higher cognitive function

Answer 37

D

Question 38

38.
The Syndrome of Imminent Death, also known as “actively dying”, typically includes which one of the
following constellation of findings:
A. Depression, cool extremities and pooled oropharyngeal secretions
B. Depression, warm extremities and polyuria
C. Delirium, cool extremities, and pooled oropharyngeal secretions
D. Delirium, warm extremities and polyuria
E. Delirium, warm extremities and pooled oropharyngeal secretions

Answer 38

C

Question 39

39.
Death resulting from side effects of opioid analgesics, used with the intent to treat severe dyspnea in a
dying patient, is an example of:
A. Acceptable medical practice
B. Assisted suicide
C. Euthanasia
D. Murder
E. Unprofessional practice

Answer 39

A

Question 40

40.
All of the following are common signs of approaching death except:
A. Decreasing interest in eating
B. Decreasing recognition of family members
C. Decreasing urine output
D. Increasing confusion
E. Increasing number of bowel movements

Answer 40

E