CAQ-Palliative case studies
CAQ-Palliative · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Hospice and Palliative Medicine is a subspecialty credential offered by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) in conjunction with the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and eight other ABMS member boards. ABIM administers the Hospice and Palliative Medicine exam, and all deadlines align with ABIM's schedule. The CAQ-Palliative case studies are 5 cases and about 2,739 words.
1Opioid Rotation in Renal Failure with Neurotoxicity
R is a 64-year-old woman with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and a 6-month history of midepigastric pain radiating to the back. For the past 3 weeks she has taken morphine extended-release 60 mg PO every 12 hours plus immediate-release morphine 15 mg every 4 hours as needed; she reports using about six rescue doses daily.
575 words, about 3 min2Hyperactive Delirium in the Last Days of Life
L, 78, with metastatic gastric cancer, is admitted to inpatient hospice with a 2-day history of agitation. He is picking at his gown, trying to climb out of bed, moaning, and does not recognize his daughter.
556 words, about 3 min3Advanced Heart Failure, ICD Shocks, and Hospice Eligibility
D, 74, with ischemic cardiomyopathy, EF 18%, NYHA IV, has had three admissions in 5 months for volume overload. He is now home on furosemide 80 mg BID, sacubitril/valsartan, spironolactone, metolazone 2.5 mg daily, and home oxygen.
565 words, about 3 min4Malignant Bowel Obstruction: Prokinetics, Octreotide, and Goals
P, 58, has recurrent ovarian cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis, prior debulking, and 3 lines of chemotherapy. She now has 5 days of vomiting 8–10 times daily, colicky abdominal pain, and no flatus or stool for 4 days.
522 words, about 3 min5Terminal Extubation and Family Questions About Suffering
K, 70, has metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with a malignant pleural effusion and was intubated 5 days ago for pneumonia and respiratory failure. He has not improved; CT shows progressive disease and a large effusion.
521 words, about 3 min