CHPN Exam Information and Outline
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
Syllabus Update Checked on: November 11, 2026
CHPN Exam Syllabus & Study Guide
Before you start practicing with our exam simulator, it is essential to understand the
official CHPN exam objectives. This course outline serves as your roadmap.
The information below reflects the 2026 syllabus defined by
HPCC.
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
- Exam Format
- 150 multiple-choice items (135 scored); 3 hours; scaled passing score 500
- Patient Care
- Assessment and Planning (25 items): goals of care and shared decision-making
- Interdisciplinary care planning
- Disease progression
- Signs of imminent death
- Patient Care
- Pain Management (26 items): pain types and assessment
- Opioid, non-opioid and adjuvant medications
- Titration and equianalgesic dosing
- Non-pharmacologic therapies
- Patient Care
- Symptom Management (28 items): neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, GU and skin symptoms
- Psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs
- Support, Education and Advocacy (28 items)
- Advance care planning and hospice benefits
- Caregiver support, grief and bereavement
- Controlled substances
- End-of-life ethics and post-mortem care
- Practice Issues (28 items)
- Medicare/Medicaid compliance
- National standards and regulations (OSHA, CMS, HIPAA)
- Professional boundaries and self-care