Which statement accurately differentiates hospice care from general palliative care?

Which statement accurately differentiates hospice care from general palliative care?

• A. Palliative care emphasizes comfort only late in disease.
• B. Palliative care focuses on cure.
• C. Hospice focuses on comfort with life expectancy six months or less.
• D. Hospice is only for hospital settings.

Answer: (C)

A key idea here is the different goals and timing between general palliative care and hospice care. General palliative care is about relieving symptoms and supporting quality of life at any stage of illness, and it can be provided alongside curative or disease-modifying treatments. Hospice care, on the other hand, is meant for people with a prognosis of six months or less and centers on comfort, symptom relief, and quality of life, with less emphasis on pursuing curative therapies. That’s why the statement describing hospice as focusing on comfort with life expectancy six months or less is the best fit. It captures both the eligibility idea (prognosis) and the primary aim (comfort and support at the end of life). The other options don’t fit because palliative care is not limited to the late, gift-for-curing is not its focus, and hospice is not confined to hospital settings—it can be delivered at home or in various care environments.

A key idea here is the different goals and timing between general palliative care and hospice care. General palliative care is about relieving symptoms and supporting quality of life at any stage of illness, and it can be provided alongside curative or disease-modifying treatments. Hospice care, on the other hand, is meant for people with a prognosis of six months or less and centers on comfort, symptom relief, and quality of life, with less emphasis on pursuing curative therapies.

That’s why the statement describing hospice as focusing on comfort with life expectancy six months or less is the best fit. It captures both the eligibility idea (prognosis) and the primary aim (comfort and support at the end of life).

The other options don’t fit because palliative care is not limited to the late, gift-for-curing is not its focus, and hospice is not confined to hospital settings—it can be delivered at home or in various care environments.