What is the main goal of palliative sedation?

The primary goal of palliative sedation is to relieve refractory symptoms that are unmanageable with standard therapies, even if this may result in a reduction of consciousness. This approach is used when patients experience severe distress from symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, or delirium that cannot be adequately controlled through conventional means.

Palliative sedation aims to enhance the quality of life by providing relief from suffering, thereby allowing patients to experience peace and comfort in their final days or hours. It is important to note that this practice is not about hastening death but rather about ensuring that the patient is free from unbearable symptoms, thereby respecting their dignity and preferences in end-of-life care.

In this context, the other choices do not align with the main objective of palliative sedation. Prolonging life at all costs goes against the principle of palliative care, which is to prioritize quality over quantity of life. Enabling patients to participate in more therapies contradicts the essence of palliative sedation, which focuses on easing suffering rather than attempting aggressive treatments. Lastly, minimizing family involvement can be detrimental, as family support and participation in care decisions are critical components of holistic palliative care.