What is palliative care?
Holistic care aimed at improving quality of life for people with life-limiting illness, addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs; can be provided alongside curative treatment.
What is end-of-life care?
Phase of palliative care in the final weeks/days of life; focus is entirely on comfort, dignity, and peace.
What are the main goals of palliative and end-of-life care?
Relieve pain and distressing symptoms, provide emotional/psychological/spiritual support, respect values and preferences, maintain dignity and comfort, support families/carers.
In what settings can palliative care be provided?
Hospitals, hospices, aged care facilities, community/home-based care.
What is the nurse’s role in palliative care?
Advocate for patient wishes, communicate sensitively, coordinate MDT care, manage symptoms, provide comfort, offer emotional support.
What does person-centred care in palliative care mean?
Focus care on the individual’s needs, values, and goals; e.g., plan care around “a good day” for the patient.
How are dignity and respect upheld in palliative care?
Treat with compassion, privacy, respect; maintain grooming, comfort, and address by name.
What does a holistic approach involve in palliative care?
Address physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs; e.g., pain relief, counselling, spiritual support.
Why is communication & honesty important in palliative care?
Provides clear, truthful info about prognosis and symptoms; supports informed decisions.
How is family/carer inclusion applied in palliative care?
Recognise and support family role; involve in care planning and offer bereavement support.
What is the principle of comfort & symptom control in palliative care?
Prioritise relief from distressing symptoms using meds, repositioning, relaxation, or complementary therapies.
How does interdisciplinary teamwork support palliative care?
Collaborative care across disciplines ensures coordinated plans between nurses, doctors, and allied health.
What is bereavement support in palliative care?
Extend care to family after death, providing grief resources and counselling.
How do ethical principles guide palliative care?
Respect autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice; e.g., follow ACP, avoid unnecessary suffering.
What is the main focus of symptom management in palliative care?
Comfort, dignity, and relief of distressing symptoms, not cure.
How is pain managed in palliative care?
Analgesics (opioids/NSAIDs), regular assessment, massage, repositioning.
How is dyspnoea managed in palliative care?
Upright positioning, oxygen if prescribed, opioids for breathlessness, reassurance.
How is nausea/vomiting managed?
Antiemetics, small meals, oral hygiene.
How is constipation managed in palliative care?
Laxatives, fluids, mobility, monitor bowel movements.
How is fatigue/weakness managed?
Prioritise energy, provide rest periods.
How is delirium/agitation managed?
Calm environment, reorientation, review meds, low-dose antipsychotics if appropriate.
How are anxiety and depression managed?
Listening, counselling referral, medications if prescribed.
How is skin breakdown managed?
Repositioning, pressure-relieving devices, skin hygiene.
Name some non-pharmacological strategies in palliative care.
Gentle touch, presence, therapeutic communication, music therapy, aromatherapy, relaxation, family involvement, comfortable environment, positioning for dignity and comfort.
