200+ Free CHPN Practice Questions

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Question 1

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A hospice patient with end-stage heart failure expresses a desire to die at home surrounded by family. Which initial nursing action best supports this goal?

Discuss the patient's wishes with the interdisciplinary team

Immediately discharge the patient from the hospice facility

Explain why the hospital is a better place for end-of-life care

Wait for the family to request a home discharge

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CHPN Exam

~80%

Est. Pass Rate

HPNA estimate

~70% (scaled)

Passing Score

Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC)

150

Exam Questions

Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC)

3 hours

Exam Duration

Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC)

$355 (HPNA members) / $465 (non-members)

Exam Fee

Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC)

The HPNA Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse has 150 questions in 3 hours, requiring ~70% (scaled) to pass. The estimated pass rate is ~80%. The CHPN certification validates expertise in hospice and palliative nursing. It covers pain and symptom management, end-of-life care, psychosocial and spiritual care, ethical/legal issues, and interdisciplinary team collaboration.

Sample CHPN Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CHPN exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A hospice patient with end-stage heart failure expresses a desire to die at home surrounded by family. Which initial nursing action best supports this goal?

A.Discuss the patient's wishes with the interdisciplinary team

B.Immediately discharge the patient from the hospice facility

C.Explain why the hospital is a better place for end-of-life care

D.Wait for the family to request a home discharge

Explanation: Supporting a patient's goal to die at home requires a collaborative approach. The nurse should first communicate the patient's wishes to the interdisciplinary team to assess feasibility, coordinate resources, and develop a comprehensive discharge plan. Simply discharging without planning could lead to crisis situations. The hospital may not be the patient's preferred location, and waiting for family to initiate could delay important conversations and planning.

2Which finding is most indicative of imminent death in a hospice patient?

A.Increased appetite and thirst

B.Respiratory changes including Cheyne-Stokes pattern

C.Rising blood pressure and tachycardia

D.Requesting more frequent pain medications

Explanation: Cheyne-Stokes respiration (progressively deeper breathing followed by apnea) is a hallmark sign of imminent death, typically occurring hours to days before death. Other signs include decreased appetite, falling blood pressure, decreased urine output, and mottling. Understanding these signs helps nurses prepare families and adjust care plans accordingly.

3During an interdisciplinary team meeting, the nurse reports that a patient with COPD is experiencing increasing dyspnea despite optimal medication management. What is the most appropriate next step?

A.Recommend immediate hospitalization

B.Collaborate with the team to develop a comprehensive symptom management plan

C.Suggest discontinuing all respiratory medications

D.Tell the family that nothing more can be done

Explanation: Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential in hospice care. When symptoms persist despite initial interventions, the team should collectively review the care plan and consider additional strategies such as low-dose opioids for dyspnea, non-pharmacological interventions, or environmental modifications. Hospitalization may not align with the patient's goals, and discontinuing medications or communicating hopelessness is inappropriate.

4A patient with metastatic pancreatic cancer develops new-onset confusion and agitation. Which assessment finding would be most important to report to the physician?

A.The patient's daughter is visiting more frequently

B.Decreased urine output and jaundice worsening

C.The patient prefers chocolate ice cream over vanilla

D.Family requests a different room assignment

Explanation: New-onset confusion in a patient with metastatic cancer, especially accompanied by decreased urine output and worsening jaundice, may indicate hepatic encephalopathy, hypercalcemia, or impending death. These physical changes require immediate medical evaluation to determine reversible causes and adjust the care plan. The other options are not clinically significant findings requiring physician notification.

5What is the primary purpose of conducting a comprehensive assessment at the time of hospice admission?

A.To determine the patient's eligibility for hospice benefits

B.To establish baseline data and identify immediate care needs

C.To replace the physician's assessment

D.To complete required paperwork only

Explanation: The comprehensive admission assessment establishes baseline physical, psychosocial, and spiritual status, identifies immediate care needs, and forms the foundation for the individualized plan of care. While eligibility must be established before admission, the nursing assessment focuses on care planning rather than eligibility determination. It complements rather than replaces physician assessment.

6A family caregiver asks how they will know when their loved one is "actively dying." Which sign should the nurse include in the teaching?

A.Increased interest in food and fluids

B.Cooling and mottling of extremities

C.Improved mental clarity and alertness

D.Rising body temperature

Explanation: Cooling and mottling (livedo reticularis) of the extremities is a classic sign of the dying process, resulting from decreased peripheral circulation as the body shunts blood to vital organs. Other signs include decreased urine output, changes in breathing patterns, and decreased level of consciousness. Preparing families for these expected changes helps reduce anxiety and fear.

7Which nursing action best demonstrates patient-centered care planning?

A.Developing the care plan independently based on clinical expertise

B.Involving the patient and family in establishing care priorities

C.Following the same care plan used for all patients with similar diagnoses

D.Delegating care planning to the nursing assistant

Explanation: Patient-centered care planning actively involves the patient and family in establishing goals, priorities, and preferences. This collaborative approach respects patient autonomy and ensures care aligns with the patient's values and wishes. Independent planning without input or using standardized plans without individualization does not reflect patient-centered care.

8A patient with end-stage dementia is admitted to hospice. Which complication should the nurse anticipate and include in the care plan?

A.Improved nutritional status

B.Aspiration risk and skin breakdown

C.Increased mobility and independence

D.Enhanced communication abilities

Explanation: Patients with end-stage dementia are at high risk for aspiration due to impaired swallowing reflexes and for skin breakdown due to immobility and incontinence. The hospice nurse should proactively include preventive measures in the care plan, such as positioning strategies and skin integrity protocols. The disease trajectory involves decline rather than improvement in function.

9The interdisciplinary team is reviewing a patient's plan of care that has not been updated in three weeks. What is the nurse's responsibility?

A.Continue following the existing plan without changes

B.Document the patient's current status and recommend plan updates

C.Wait for the physician to initiate plan revisions

D.Create an entirely new plan without reviewing the previous one

Explanation: Hospice care plans require ongoing evaluation and revision based on the patient's changing condition. The nurse should assess the patient's current status, document findings, and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to recommend appropriate updates. Waiting for others to initiate changes or continuing an outdated plan could result in suboptimal care.

10A patient with bone metastases describes pain as "burning and shooting down my leg." This description is most consistent with which type of pain?

A.Somatic pain

B.Neuropathic pain

C.Visceral pain

D.Referred pain

Explanation: Neuropathic pain results from damage to or dysfunction of the nervous system and is often described as burning, shooting, stabbing, or electric shock-like. Bone metastases can compress nerves or spinal cord, causing neuropathic pain. Somatic pain is typically localized and aching, while visceral pain is often poorly localized and described as deep, squeezing, or cramping.

About the CHPN Exam

The CHPN certification validates expertise in hospice and palliative nursing. It covers pain and symptom management, end-of-life care, psychosocial and spiritual care, ethical/legal issues, and interdisciplinary team collaboration.

Questions

150 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

~70% (scaled)

Exam Fee

$355 (HPNA members) / $465 (non-members) (Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) / HPNA)

CHPN Exam Content Outline

25%

Clinical Judgment & Assessment

Patient assessment, diagnostic interpretation, prioritization, and clinical decision-making

25%

Patient Care Management

Care planning, interventions, pharmacology, and evidence-based treatment protocols

20%

Safety & Quality

Patient safety, infection control, quality improvement, and error prevention

15%

Professional Practice

Ethics, scope of practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and regulatory compliance

15%

Education & Communication

Patient education, health literacy, therapeutic communication, and family-centered care

How to Pass the CHPN Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: ~70% (scaled)
Exam length: 150 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: $355 (HPNA members) / $465 (non-members)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CHPN Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on the highest-weighted content areas first — they represent the most exam questions

2Complete at least 200 practice questions and review explanations for every missed item

3Study in focused 1-2 hour blocks with active recall and spaced repetition

4Review clinical guidelines and evidence-based practice standards relevant to this credential

5Take at least two full-length timed practice exams before your scheduled test date

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CHPN exam passing score?

The HPNA Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse requires a score of ~70% (scaled) to pass. The exam has 150 questions in 3 hours. The estimated pass rate is ~80%.

How hard is the CHPN exam?

The HPNA Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse is considered moderately challenging with an estimated pass rate of ~80%. Candidates with clinical experience and structured study plans typically perform well. Plan for 60-120 hours of dedicated study.

How long should I study for the CHPN?

Most candidates study for 6-12 weeks, investing 60-120 hours. Focus on content areas with the highest exam weight, complete practice questions, and review explanations for missed items.

What is the CHPN exam fee?

The exam fee is $355 (HPNA members) / $465 (non-members). The exam is administered by Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) / HPNA. Check the official website for the most current pricing and scheduling information.