The purpose of this text is to recognize Nursing Assistants' central role in end-of-life care and to ensure adequate preparation and educational support for their work. The goal is to enhance the palliative care knowledge base and skills of nursing assistants working in all clinical settings, including long-term care, hospitals, home care, and hospice. With this revised edition, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) continues to strive to support nursing assistants and nourish their development as integral members of the palliative care team. Authors and reviewers with extensive educational preparation and varied experiences were involved to ensure appropriate, accurate content and concepts that are important to nursing assistants. The Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant Core Curriculum is designed to be used either by Nursing Assistants or by Educators who prepare Nursing Assistants for clinical practice. This edition contains revised and updated content in every chapter. A new feature has also been added: case studies with questions and answers for each chapter to assess learning and to assist in the preparation if the certification examination. Answers and explanations are provided. HPNA hopes that all users of this text will grow in their ability provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illness and their families.

Hospice and palliative care nursing is evolving and growing. This has propelled nurses into thinking about care in creative ways and enhancing bedside delivery of hospice and palliative care. This evidence-packed edition serves as a preparatory guide for board certification and a practice guide for the hospice and palliative care nurse.

ACHPN Core Curriculum Study Guide provides candidates preparing to take the ACHPN Certification Exam an up-to-date review for credentialing in hospice and palliative care. Scope of practice and current disease management guidelines are provided for reference and advanced practice decision making. Common diseases seen in hospice and chronic diseases seen in palliative care are covered in this review guide including differential diagnosis, medical management, diagnostic testing, and up-to-date treatment options. Practice questions are given at the end of every chapter with answers and rationales in the back of the book. Pearls for passing are also included in every chapter providing a more focused study review. A review of the different opioids that are commonly used in hospice and palliative care is also provided with an extensive guide for opioid conversion. Examples are given with step-by-step details of how to mathematically rotate a patient from one opioid to another. Extensive research and knowledge has been put forth in this book by doctorate level ACHPN credentialed advanced practice nurses and educators for the purpose of furthering the skills and knowledge for those dedicated to providing quality and excellence in end-of-life care.