Question

21. A patients rapid cancer metastases have prompted a shift from active treatment to palliative care. When planning this patients care, the nurse should identify what primary aim?

A) To prioritize emotional needs
B) To prevent and relieve suffering
C) To bridge between curative care and hospice care
D) To provide care while there is still hope

Answer 1

The primary aim of palliative care when cancer has metastasized rapidly is to prevent and relieve suffering, not to pursue curative treatments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary aim to identify when planning a patient's care that has shifted from active treatment to palliative care, due to rapid cancer metastases, is B) To prevent and relieve suffering. Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, where the goal is to mitigate pain and other distressing symptoms rather than seeking a cure. This shift in care reflects an understanding that, when a patient's cancer has advanced beyond the benefits of curative treatment, the most compassionate approach is one that alleviates physical discomfort and provides psychological and spiritual support.

Hospice care is a form of palliative care for patients who are nearing the end of their lives. Research has shown that hospice care not only benefits the patient by allowing them to remain in the comfort of their home but can also extend their lifespan compared to non-hospice patients. Moreover, it reduces the burden on family members, offering them emotional support and decreasing the stress associated with caregiving.