LETTER BANK VIII

In a letter bank, the letters of one word are used - and repeated as necessary - to spell a longer word or phrase. For example, IMPS is a letter bank for MISSISSIPPI. That is, the only letters in MISSISSIPPI are I, M, P, and S - repeated as necessary.

1. A word that means beginner is a letter bank for a word that means something that is designed for quick and easy to use.

2. [Sad situation in a hospital]
    Before he took his _ _ _ _ _   _ _ _ _ _ _ , the patient was  _ _ _ _ _ _ _   _ _   _   _ _ _ _ _ _ .

Answers:

1. NOVICE - CONVENIENCE
2. DYING BREATH - HANGING BY A THREAD

Credit: Both - The Enigma 
NPL Magazine
#1: March, 2015 - EARL E. BYRD
#2: May, 2015 - WRYBOSH