When can palliative care be provided relative to curative treatment?

• A. Palliative care can be provided only after hospice enrollment
• B. Palliative care can be provided during terminal hospitalization only
• C. Palliative care can be provided at any stage, concurrent with curative or life-prolonging therapies
• D. Palliative care replaces disease-directed therapy

Answer: (C)

Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms, reducing distress, and helping patients and families make informed decisions. It can be started at any point in an illness and can run concurrently with curative or life-prolonging treatments. It is not limited to hospice enrollment or terminal hospitalization, and it does not replace disease-directed therapy; instead, it complements ongoing treatment to improve quality of life.