Table 2 The Palliative Care Knowledge Test (PCKT)
Incorrect | Correct | |
|---|---|---|
Philosophy | ||
1. Palliative care should be provided for patients who have no curative treatments available. | 549 (24.7%) | 1676 (75.3%) |
2. Palliative care should not be provided along with other anti-cancer treatments. | 262 (11.8%) | 1963 (88.2%) |
TOTAL for philosophy | 18.2% | 81.8% |
Pain | ||
3. One of the goals of pain management is to get a good night’s sleep. | 265 (11.9%) | 1960 (88.1%) |
4. When cancer pain is mild, pentazocine should be used more often than an opioid. | 1217 (54.7%) | 1008 (45.3%) |
5. When opioids are taken on a regular basis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should not be used. | 766 (34.4%) | 1459 (65.6%) |
6. The effect of opioids should decrease when pentazocine ou buprenorphine hydrocloride is used together after opioids are used. | 1733 (77.9%) | 492 (22.1%) |
7. Long-term use of opioids can often induce addiction. | 1657 (74.5%) | 568 (25.5%) |
8. Use of opioids does not influence survival time. | 942 (42.3%) | 1283 (57.7%) |
TOTAL for pain | 49.3% | 50.7% |
Dyspnea | ||
9. Morphine should be used to relieve dyspnea in cancer patients | 1177 (52.9%) | 1048 (47.1%) |
10. When opioids are used on a regular basis, respiratory depression Will be common. | 1120 (50.3%) | 1105 (49.7%) |
11. Oxygen saturation levels are correlated with dyspnea | 744 (33.4%) | 1481 (66.6%) |
12. Anticholinergic drugs or scopolamine hydrobromide are effective for alleviating bronchial secretions of dying patients. | 766 (34.4%) | 1459 (65.6%) |
TOTAL for dyspnea | 42.7% | 57.3% |
Psychiatric problems | ||
13. During the last days of life, drowsiness associated with electrolyte imbalance should decrease patient discomfort. | 1352 (60.8%) | 873 (39.2%) |
14. Benzodiazepines should be effective for controlling delirium. | 1039 (46.7%) | 1186 (53.3%) |
15. Some dying patients will require continuous sedation to alleviate suffering. | 289 (13%) | 1936 (87%) |
16. Morphine is often a cause of delirium in terminally ill cancer patients | 1573 (70.7%) | 652 (29.3%) |
TOTAL for psychiatric problems | 47.8% | 52.2% |
Gastrointestinal Problems | ||
17. At terminal stages of cancer, higher calorie intake is needed compared to early stages. | 1280 (57.5%) | 945 (42.5%) |
18. There is no route except central venous for patients unable to maintain a peripheral intravenous route | 1442 (64.8%) | 783 (35.2%) |
19. Steroids should improve appetite among patients with advanced cancer | 1282 (57.6%) | 943 (42.4%) |
20. Intravenous infusion will not be effective for alleviating dry mouth in dying patients. | 1035 (46.5%) | 1190 (53.5%) |
TOTAL for Gastrointestinal Problems | 56.6% | 43.4% |