Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms

This glossary provides a foundational understanding of the key terms often encountered in hospice and palliative care.

Advance Directive 

A legal document in which a person outlines their preferences for medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate or make decisions. 

 

Allergens

Substances that cause allergic reactions (such as pollen, pet dander, or dust mites).

 

Bereavement Support 

Support and counseling offered to family members and loved ones after the death of a patient, helping them cope with grief and loss. 

 

Caregiver 

An individual, often a family member or friend, who provides care and support to a person with a serious illness. 

 

Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) 

Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNPs), often referred to simply as Nurse Practitioners (NPs), are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have completed graduate-level education (a master’s or doctoral degree) and have additional clinical training beyond that of a registered nurse (RN). CNPs are licensed to provide a wide range of healthcare services, often serving as primary and specialty care providers. 

 

Comfort Care 

A type of care focused on relieving symptoms and optimizing comfort, often provided when curative treatment is no longer pursued. 

 

Comfort Measures Only (CMO) 

A care plan that focuses solely on comfort, rather than attempting to cure or prolong life, often used in end-of-life care settings. 

 

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order 

A medical order indicating that a patient does not wish to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if their heart stops or they stop breathing. 

 

End-of-Life Care 

Care provided during the final stages of life, focusing on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. 

 

Hospice Care 

A type of palliative care specifically designed for patients who are nearing the end of life, typically with a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease runs its natural course. 

 

Hospice Eligibility 

The criteria which determine whether a patient qualifies for hospice care, usually based on a prognosis of six months or less to live if the illness follows its typical course. 

 

Immunotherapy

A medical treatment that involves stimulating or modifying the immune system to reduce or eliminate the body’s reactions to allergens.

 

Interdisciplinary Team 

A group of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and others, who work together to provide comprehensive palliative care. 

 

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), also known as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in some states, are essential healthcare professionals who provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors. 

 

Life-Limiting Illness 

A disease or condition that is expected to significantly shorten a person’s life, often leading to a need for palliative or hospice care. 

 

Pain Management 

A central component of palliative and hospice care aimed at relieving pain through medication, therapies, or interventions tailored to the patient’s needs. 

 

Palliative Care 

A type of specialized medical care focused on relieving symptoms and stress associated with serious illness, improving the quality of life for both the patient and their family, and providing support regardless of the stage of the illness. 

 

Pastoral Care 

Pastoral Care refers to the spiritual and emotional support provided to patients, families, and even healthcare staff, typically by chaplains or other trained spiritual care providers, within a healthcare setting such as a hospital, hospice, or palliative care program. 

 

Physician Services 

In-home medical services for those who find it difficult to visit a clinic or hospital. 

 

Prognosis 

A medical prediction about the likely course or outcome of a disease, including life expectancy and progression of symptoms. 

 

Quality of Life 

A measure of a person’s overall well-being, encompassing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of life, often a primary focus in palliative and hospice care. 

 

Registered Nurse (RN) 

Registered Nurses (RNs) are healthcare professionals who have completed the necessary education and passed a national licensing exam to provide a wide range of nursing care. They play a critical role in the healthcare system, delivering care to patients in various settings, from hospitals to home care environments. 

 

Respite Care 

Short-term care that is provided to a primary caregiver to give temporary relief, allowing them a break from caregiving duties. 

 

Spiritual Care 

Support provided to address spiritual or religious concerns, often by a chaplain or spiritual advisor, to bring comfort and meaning to patients and families. 

 

Symptom Management 

The practice of relieving or controlling symptoms of an illness, such as pain, nausea, breathlessness, or anxiety, to improve a patient’s comfort. 

 

Terminal Illness 

A disease or condition that is expected to result in death, often leading to a focus on comfort care rather than curative treatment. 

 

Treatment Goals 

A patient’s preferences regarding care, including the desired outcomes of treatment, such as prolonging life, improving comfort, or focusing on quality of life. 

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