Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

Which factor is NOT included in hospice eligibility guidelines for neurodegenerative diseases?

1. Rapid progression of symptoms

2. Diminished nutrition with weight loss

3. Increased albumin levels

4. Breathing difficulties

The correct answer is: Increased albumin levels

In hospice eligibility guidelines for neurodegenerative diseases, certain medical indicators help determine whether a patient qualifies for hospice care, which emphasizes comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatments. Rapid progression of symptoms is a key factor because it typically indicates that the disease is advancing unmanageably, leading to a decline in the patient's functional status. Diminished nutrition with weight loss is significant since it reflects a decline in the patient’s overall health and ability to sustain themselves. Breathing difficulties are also critical, as they can indicate respiratory failure or significant compromise in the patient's ability to breathe independently, which is common in advanced stages of many neurodegenerative conditions. In contrast, increased albumin levels are not a recognized factor in hospice eligibility guidelines for neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, elevated albumin levels can sometimes indicate better nutritional status or absence of severe illness, which would not typically suggest a decline that warrants hospice care. Thus, increased albumin levels do not align with the requisite clinical indicators commonly utilized in assessing end-stage illness and eligibility for hospice services.