How can nurses determine whether a patient is appropriate for hospice referral?

• A. Prognosis and patient goals aligned with hospice eligibility
• B. Age alone
• C. Prognosis, patient goals aligned with hospice eligibility, withdrawal of burdensome curative therapies, and caregiver support readiness
• D. The patient’s favorite color

Answer: (C)

Determining hospice referral appropriateness involves aligning the patient’s prognosis with their goals of care and readiness to shift from pursuing curative treatments to comfort-focused care, while also ensuring there is adequate caregiver support. It’s not enough to consider age alone, since age by itself doesn’t reflect how long a patient might live or their treatment preferences. A true fit for hospice typically includes a prognosis of limited life expectancy and a clear decision to withdraw or forgo burdensome curative therapies in favor of comfort, along with a plan that supports the caregiver and home or facility-based care. The patient’s goals must match hospice eligibility, and the caregiver’s readiness to participate is essential to sustain quality of life. The patient’s favorite color, while harmless, has no relevance to hospice suitability.