Final answer:
The palliative care team's obligation is to ensure the patient is comfortable and pain-free, which aligns with answer B. Palliative care focuses on quality of life, and pain management may involve the use of prescription medications like opioids under medical supervision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The palliative care team's primary obligation for the patient with severe pain is to ensure the patient is comfortable and pain-free. The appropriate answer to the provided question is B. This aligns with the principles of palliative care, which focus on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, with the goal of improving quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care and offers a support system to help families cope during the patient's illness and in their own bereavement.
Medications play a crucial role in managing pain for palliative care patients. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may be used initially, but if pain persists, prescription medications, including opioids, may be necessary. Opioids are potent pain relievers but come with risks of side effects and potential addiction; therefore, they must be managed carefully under a doctor's supervision.
In summary, the focus of palliative care is not on curing the illness but on providing comfort and dignity at the end of life. This might involve using various medical technologies and medications to manage pain and other symptoms so that the patient can have an improved quality of life during their remaining time.