What is an appropriate approach to prognosis disclosure and goals of care discussions with a patient with terminal illness?

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Multiple Choice

What is an appropriate approach to prognosis disclosure and goals of care discussions with a patient with terminal illness?

Open and honest prognosis disclosure with a focus on the patient’s goals of care is essential in terminal illness. When you discuss prognosis clearly, you give the patient information needed to understand what lies ahead and to express what matters most to them. Exploring the patient’s goals and preferences helps tailor decisions to their values—whether they prioritize time with family, functional ability, or symptom relief. Involving family appropriately provides support and helps with understanding, but always proceed with the patient’s consent and respect for their privacy. Documenting decisions creates a clear plan that guides the care team and reduces confusion across settings. Arranging timely palliative care brings focused symptom management, psychosocial support, and help with aligning ongoing or future interventions with the patient’s stated goals. Avoiding prognosis or focusing only on comfort can deprive the patient of information needed to make informed choices and may lead to care that doesn’t reflect their wishes. Providing unfounded optimism about a cure contradicts the patient’s reality and can erode trust. Letting family members drive the prognosis discussion without patient input undermines autonomy and can result in care decisions that don’t match the patient’s desires.

Open and honest prognosis disclosure with a focus on the patient’s goals of care is essential in terminal illness. When you discuss prognosis clearly, you give the patient information needed to understand what lies ahead and to express what matters most to them. Exploring the patient’s goals and preferences helps tailor decisions to their values—whether they prioritize time with family, functional ability, or symptom relief. Involving family appropriately provides support and helps with understanding, but always proceed with the patient’s consent and respect for their privacy. Documenting decisions creates a clear plan that guides the care team and reduces confusion across settings. Arranging timely palliative care brings focused symptom management, psychosocial support, and help with aligning ongoing or future interventions with the patient’s stated goals.

Avoiding prognosis or focusing only on comfort can deprive the patient of information needed to make informed choices and may lead to care that doesn’t reflect their wishes. Providing unfounded optimism about a cure contradicts the patient’s reality and can erode trust. Letting family members drive the prognosis discussion without patient input undermines autonomy and can result in care decisions that don’t match the patient’s desires.

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