Final answer:
Palliative care involves comfort and symptom management for those with serious illnesses, focusing on quality of life rather than curing the disease. It provides emotional, psychological, and social support for both the patient and their family. The correct answer is (B) Comfort and managing symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Palliative care involves providing comfort and managing symptoms for those with serious illnesses. It is not about curing the disease or aiming for the recovery of the resident, but focuses on offering relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. This form of care is part of the broader hospice care approach, which asserts that when cure-oriented treatments are no longer effective or desired, patients can receive specialized care that prioritizes comfort and dignity, often in the familiar setting of their home surrounded by loved ones.
Research indicates that patients receiving palliative care report high levels of satisfaction due to being able to stay at home and not rely solely on strangers for care. Moreover, family members of patients in palliative care can experience reduced burden, emotional support, and are kept well informed about their loved one's treatment and condition.
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is (B) Comfort and managing symptoms. Palliative care does not focus on teaching residents to care for themselves (a characteristic of rehabilitative care) or curing the illness, but rather provides care that alleviates pain and other symptoms, offers psychological and social support, and aims to improve the quality of life for patients and their families during difficult times.