CHPN exam prep: hospice and palliative nursing certification study guide

How this CNA or CHPN topic fits your test plan

The Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) exam uses a clinical scenario format. The best answer is usually the safest, family-inclusive next nursing action—not the most aggressive treatment.

• Life-limiting conditions, One sitting
• Pain and symptom management, One sitting
• Patient and family care, One sitting
• Education and advocacy, One sitting
• Interdisciplinary and professional practice, One sitting

What this practice area emphasizes

Use Hospice and Palliative Nurse Certification Exams quizzes to rehearse, then confirm live exam rules with your state registry or HPCC.

High-yield prep topics

CHPN scenario skills

• Differentiate palliative care from hospice eligibility criteria
• Prioritize comfort and safety when orders conflict with goals of care
• Know opioid myths vs. evidence for dyspnea and pain at end of life
• Apply ethics: capacity, surrogate decision-making, and withdrawing treatment

Ethics at end of life

• Capacity vs. competency language
• When to involve ethics committee or palliative consult

What to expect on test day

Arrive with government ID and your appointment confirmation. CNA skills tests use a different format than written exams.

• CNA: skills exams are pass/fail on required steps—including indirect care such as introducing yourself and hand hygiene.
• CNA written: there is usually no penalty for guessing; answer every item before time expires.
• CHPN: computer-based delivery at a testing center or remote proctor per HPCC policies.
• Report to your registry or certifying body if you need accommodations; request them before scheduling.

Study strategies

1. Pair practice quizzes with skills lab or clinical hours for CNA candidates.
2. For CHPN, review HPCC’s detailed content outline and mark weak domains after each practice set.
3. Keep a mistake log by topic (infection control, opioids, ethics) and review it weekly.
4. Read rationales fully—they teach patterns that repeat across vendors and item banks.

Common prep mistakes

• Studying a national outline when your state tests different reporting rules.
• Memorizing skill steps without practicing them physically for the CNA demonstration.
• Choosing aggressive treatment options on CHPN items when comfort and goals of care point elsewhere.
• Cramming the night before instead of short daily practice with rationales.

Four-week study outline

Week 1: Diagnostic Hospice and Palliative Nurse Certification Exams quiz and handbook outline review.

Week 2: Deep study on your two weakest domains.

Week 3: Timed mixed practice and skills rehearsal (CNA) or scenario review (CHPN).

Week 4: Full-length timed practice for Hospice and Palliative Nurse Certification (CHPN) using the 1 Hospice and Palliative Nurse Certification Exams quiz on this page (136 practice questions) ; review every missed rationale the same day.