March/ April 1999

Vol 6, No 2 CME Pretest

In this issue, the topic of oncology support and palliation is addressed. First, answer the pretest questions below. After reading the articles, proceed with answering the CME posttest questions.

This Journal provides 4 hours of Category 1 Continuing Medical Education

Complimentary CME Credits

Physicians can earn 4 credit hours of Category 1 for the Physician's Recognition Award of the American Medical Association by reading the material in this issue and successfully answering the questions in the posttest at the end of this issue. Complete instructions are given on the posttest pages. Successfully answering 30 or more questions will earn 4 credit hours. CME is presented by an unrestricted educational grant from Bristol-Myers Oncology Division.

Educational Objectives

After reading this issue of Cancer Control, clinicians will be expected to:

• understand the issues surrounding end-of-life care,
• recognize prognostic factors in patients with advanced cancer, and
• follow guidelines for optimizing pain and symptom control.

Release Date: March 1, 1999
Expiration Date: March 1, 2000

Pretest

1. The Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals plan to systematically address pain management by:

a. charting pain scores

b. re-educating physicians

c. establishing guidelines for pharmacists

d. re-educating nursing staff

2. Pains that are presumed to be maintained by ongoing tissue injury are termed:

a. somatic

b. nociceptive

c. visceral

d. neuropathic

3. A recent review of palliative care suggests what proportion of dying patients in Canada receive adequate palliative care?

a. 1%

b. 5%

c. 20%

d. 65%