When is hospice care appropriate for a person with a terminal illness?

• A. Only after all curative treatments have failed.
• B. Only in hospital settings.
• C. When life expectancy is uncertain and aggressive treatment is still pursued.
• D. When comfort and quality of life become the priority and curative treatment is no longer pursued.

Answer: (D)

Hospice care centers on comfort and quality of life for someone with a terminal illness. It focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms, supporting daily living, and providing emotional and spiritual support for both the person and their family, rather than trying to cure the disease.

This care is appropriate when the goals of care shift from extending life through curative treatments to prioritizing comfort, and when the decision has been made to stop pursuing treatments aimed at curing or prolonging illness. Hospice can be provided in various settings, including at home, in a hospice facility, or in other care settings, not just in hospitals.

While prognosis can be uncertain and some treatments may be considered in certain situations, the defining idea is that comfort and quality of life become the focus and curative efforts are no longer pursued.