Palliative care is given in order to try to save a patient's life.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only in hospitals
• D. Always cures disease

Answer: (B)

Palliative care focuses on comfort, quality of life, and relief from troublesome symptoms for people with serious illnesses. It addresses physical symptoms (pain, shortness of breath, nausea), as well as psychological, social, and spiritual needs, and respects the patient’s goals and values. It can be provided at any stage of illness and alongside disease-directed or life-prolonging treatments, with the aim of improving daily functioning and well-being rather than curing the disease or saving the patient at all costs. Because its primary purpose is comfort and holistic support, the idea that palliative care is given to try to save a patient’s life is not correct.