An 81-year-old client was diagnosed with colon cancer several months ago. Both the patient and the family have been made aware of the potential for metastasis and the poor prognosis associated with this disease
At what point in the client's disease trajectory should the principles of palliative care be implemented?
A) After chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been proven unsuccessful
B) Early in the course of the client's cancer and before symptoms become unmanageable
C) Soon after the client has made a decision to change her code status to "do not resuscitate"
D) When the client's care team determines that there is less than 2 months to live
Ans: B
The principles and practices of palliative care should not be exclusively reserved for late in a disease trajectory. It is applicable early in the course of an illness and should be offered as needs develop and before they become unmanageable. Palliative care can be provided concurrently with life-prolonging therapies or as a main focus of care.
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