Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

Which nonpharmacological treatment can help alleviate nausea and vomiting?

1. Serve meals at room temperature

2. Encourage spicy foods

3. Increase meal frequency

4. Serve meals at high temperatures

The correct answer is: Serve meals at room temperature

Serving meals at room temperature can help alleviate nausea and vomiting for several reasons. Many individuals experience an increased sensitivity to smells and tastes during episodes of nausea, and serving food at room temperature minimizes strong odors that may come from hot dishes. Additionally, cooler or room-temperature foods tend to be more palatable and less likely to trigger nausea compared to hot or spicy foods, which could be overwhelming to someone experiencing these symptoms. In contrast, encouraging spicy foods is less appropriate since spicy dishes can exacerbate gastric discomfort and may lead to increased nausea. Increasing meal frequency might not address the underlying causes of nausea, and in some cases, can lead to more discomfort if the person's digestive system is sensitive. Serving meals at high temperatures can also be problematic as it may enhance food odors and steam, potentially worsening feelings of nausea rather than providing relief.