Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Which of the following healthcare settings is generally for people who will die in six months or less?

1. Hospice care

2. Long-term care

3. Outpatient care

4. Acute care

The correct answer is: Hospice care

Hospice care is specifically designed to provide support and services for individuals who are in the final stages of terminal illnesses, typically those who are expected to have six months or less to live. This type of care focuses on comfort, quality of life, and pain management rather than curative treatment. It involves a team of healthcare professionals who work together to ensure that the individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met, allowing them to spend their remaining time in a supportive and caring environment. In contrast, long-term care generally serves individuals who require assistance with daily activities over an extended period but may not be at the end of life. Outpatient care involves treatments and procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a healthcare facility, and acute care addresses immediate medical needs typically in a hospital setting but does not specifically cater to terminally ill patients. Thus, hospice care is uniquely targeted toward end-of-life issues, making it the correct answer in this context.