Question

A 48-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer is reviewed on the ward. She is bedbound, has progressive dyspnoea at rest, is eating very little and sleeping most of the day. The MDT believes she is in the last days of life. According to NICE end-of-life care guidance, what should be the primary focus of her management now?

Accepted Answer

Regular assessment and management of symptoms, comfort measures and individualised communication with her and those important to her

Answer

Escalation to the intensive care unit for invasive ventilation

Answer

Aggressive intravenous hydration to correct potential dehydration

Answer

Routine blood tests every day to monitor organ function

Answer

Starting high-dose chemotherapy as a last resort

Practice question