Which statement describes hospice core criteria?

• A. Hospice care is focused on cure with ongoing aggressive treatment
• B. Hospice care is available only in inpatient settings
• C. Hospice care focuses on comfort but only for non-terminal conditions
• D. Hospice care is a model focused on comfort for patients with terminal illness, typically with prognosis six months or less and preference for comfort-focused care

Answer: (D)

This question tests hospice eligibility and its primary aim. Hospice is a care model centered on comfort, symptom relief, and quality of life for someone with a terminal illness who chooses to forego curative or aggressive disease-directed treatments. The defining criteria include a terminal prognosis—typically six months or less if the disease runs its natural course—and a clear preference for comfort-focused care.

The best statement captures these elements: it describes hospice as a model focused on comfort for terminal illness, with a prognosis of six months or less, and a choice for comfort-focused care. This reflects the shift from curative treatment to palliative goals when death is expected within a limited time, and care is designed to support both the patient and the family, often in multiple settings including home.

The other options miss these core points: hospice is not about ongoing aggressive treatment aimed at cure; it is not limited to inpatient settings since many patients receive care at home; and it is specifically for terminal conditions, not non-terminal ones.