Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of hospice care?

• A. Pain control
• B. On-call 24/7 for pain management
• C. Diagnostic testing in hospital settings
• D. Rehabilitation only

Answer: (B)

Hospice care is focused on comfort, symptom relief, and support for patients and families at the end of life, with care coordinated by an interdisciplinary team. A defining feature is the availability of professionals on call around the clock to manage pain and other distressing symptoms. This 24/7 access helps rapidly address crises, often allowing patients to stay at home or within the hospice setting rather than needing emergency hospital services, which is central to the hospice approach.

Pain control is important in hospice, but it’s not unique to hospice alone; many care settings offer good pain management. Diagnostic testing in hospital settings is not aligned with hospice goals, which emphasize comfort over curative testing. Rehabilitation-only programs don’t fit hospice’s purpose, which centers on quality of life and symptom relief rather than restorative treatment.