A client with metastatic pancreatic cancer and long-standing, stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is being admitted to a home hospice program under the Medicare hospice benefit. During the admission visit, the client's spouse asks the hospice nurse to clarify what will and will not be covered once the election is signed. Which statements by the nurse are accurate? Select all that apply.
Select All That Apply
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Hospice election changes how Medicare covers care related to the terminal illness, while unrelated care such as stable COPD management can continue under the client's other Medicare coverage (Choice 2). The client may revoke the hospice election and return to standard Medicare coverage (Choice 4). A comfort-focused procedure for tumor pain may be covered when it is part of the hospice plan of care (Choice 6). Election does not automatically shift an unrelated bronchodilator to personal expense (Choice 1), routinely cover assisted-living room and board (Choice 3), or transfer final treatment authority to the interdisciplinary team (Choice 5).
Clinical Reasoning Hospice election changes how Medicare covers care related to the terminal illness, while unrelated care such as stable COPD management can continue under the client's other Medicare coverage (Choice 2). The client may revoke the hospice election and return to standard Medicare coverage (Choice 4). A comfort-focused procedure for tumor pain may be covered when it is part of the hospice plan of care (Choice 6). Election does not automatically shift an unrelated bronchodilator to personal expense (Choice 1), routinely cover assisted-living room and board (Choice 3), or transfer final treatment authority to the interdisciplinary team (Choice 5).
Option Review
Incorrect — Medicare coverage can continue for care that is unrelated to the terminal illness. Hospice election does not by itself make the client personally responsible for the routine COPD medication.
Correct — This is correct because hospice election changes coverage only for care related to the terminal illness, so ongoing management of the unrelated stable COPD remains covered under the client's original Medicare benefits.
Incorrect — This is incorrect because room and board in an assisted living or long-term care setting is not automatically covered by the hospice benefit unless specific short-term inpatient or respite criteria are met.
Correct — This is correct because clients retain the right to revoke hospice election at any point and resume standard Medicare-covered curative treatment for the terminal illness if they choose to do so.
Incorrect — The interdisciplinary team coordinates and recommends care, but hospice election does not transfer the client's treatment decision-making authority to the team.
Correct — This is correct because procedures intended to relieve symptoms such as tumor-related pain are consistent with the hospice philosophy of comfort care even though curative treatment is generally not covered.
Sources
12026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan
2Medicare: Hospice care coverage
A client with metastatic pancreatic cancer and stable, long-standing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted to a Medicare-certified home hospice program. During the admission visit, the client's spouse asks the hospice nurse what care will and will not be covered once the election is signed.