Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

What is the drug of choice to relieve a patient's feeling of "air hunger" in end stage pulmonary disease?

1. Aspirin

2. Morphine

3. Diazepam

4. Furosemide

The correct answer is: Morphine

In end-stage pulmonary disease, patients often experience a sensation known as "air hunger," which can be distressing and lead to feelings of anxiety and panic. Morphine is the drug of choice in this scenario because it effectively alleviates dyspnea, or difficulty in breathing, by acting on the central nervous system to reduce the perception of breathlessness. Additionally, morphine has sedative properties that can help calm the patient, providing both physical relief from the sensation of not getting enough air and emotional support by reducing anxiety associated with breathing difficulties. The other options do not address this specific issue effectively. Aspirin is primarily used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent and does not have a direct effect on breathing sensations. Diazepam, while it may help with anxiety, does not have the same effect on respiratory distress as morphine. Furosemide is a diuretic used to manage fluid overload, particularly in heart failure, but it does not specifically target the sensation of air hunger in pulmonary conditions. Thus, morphine is recognized as the most appropriate and effective choice in managing this particular symptom in patients with end-stage pulmonary disease.