Which term refers to treatment aimed at relieving symptoms and making the patient more comfortable?

Which term refers to treatment aimed at relieving symptoms and making the patient more comfortable?

• A. Active euthanasia
• B. Palliative care
• C. Brain death
• D. Advanced directive

Answer: (B)

Relieving symptoms and keeping the patient comfortable is the hallmark of palliative care. This approach focuses on comfort, quality of life, and symptom management such as pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or fatigue, and it can be provided alongside other treatments aimed at the disease. It isn’t about ending life, which is what active euthanasia involves; it isn’t a medical determination of death like brain death; and it isn’t a legal document outlining future care preferences like an advanced directive. So the term that best fits is palliative care.

Relieving symptoms and keeping the patient comfortable is the hallmark of palliative care. This approach focuses on comfort, quality of life, and symptom management such as pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or fatigue, and it can be provided alongside other treatments aimed at the disease. It isn’t about ending life, which is what active euthanasia involves; it isn’t a medical determination of death like brain death; and it isn’t a legal document outlining future care preferences like an advanced directive. So the term that best fits is palliative care.