Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

What is the main goal of palliative sedation?

1. To prolong life at any cost

2. To relieve refractory symptoms even with reduced consciousness

3. To provide complete awareness of the condition

4. To improve patient communication

The correct answer is: To relieve refractory symptoms even with reduced consciousness

The main goal of palliative sedation is to relieve refractory symptoms even with reduced consciousness. This approach is utilized when patients experience severe distress or unacceptable suffering that cannot be alleviated by other palliative measures. Palliative sedation aims to enhance the quality of life for patients who are facing insurmountable symptoms that are not responsive to standard treatments. In this context, refractory symptoms refer to those symptoms that are difficult to control despite aggressive management. By employing palliative sedation, healthcare providers prioritize the comfort of the patient, acknowledging that alleviating suffering may necessitate reducing the patient's awareness or consciousness. This approach differs significantly from the goal of prolonging life at any cost, as its focus is not on extending survival but rather on alleviating unbearable suffering. Additionally, palliative sedation does not aim to provide complete awareness of the condition, as the goal is often to provide relief rather than maintain consciousness. Improving patient communication, while important in palliative care, is not the primary aim of palliative sedation itself; instead, it may become more challenging due to the effects of sedation.