You are a home health nurse seeing for the first time P.C., a 64-year-old divorcee diagnosed with small cell
lung cancer approximately 1 year ago.
She was treated with radiation and chemotherapy; however, her
oncologist recently informed her that her cancer is no longer treatable because it has spread to her bones
and liver. Now the focus of her treatment will change from curative to symptom relief. She is confused and
somewhat bewildered. She vaguely remembers the term palliative treatment from the discussion of her
situation with her oncologist but does not know what it means.
How would you describe palliative treatment?
Palliative treatment focuses on controlling symptoms rather than curative measures. The focus turns
to issues such as pain control, bowel and bladder function, anxiety, nutrition, comfort care, and
quality of life. It is important to reassure the patient that palliative care does not mean abandonment
and giving up. In fact, you might see P.C. more frequently now that the focus is on supportive or
comfort care.
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