Final answer:
The primary purpose of hospice care is to provide pain management and a comfortable, supportive environment for terminally ill patients at the end of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principal purpose of hospice care is to provide comfort and support to terminally ill patients when cure-oriented treatments are no longer effective. Hospice care focuses on pain management and quality of life, allowing patients to pass in comfort and peace, often in a familiar, home-like setting surrounded by loved ones. It supports not only the patient but also their families through emotional support and by reducing the burden of care.