A patient with cancer asks the nurse when he or she will be able to access palliative care.On the basis of the knowledge about palliative care,what will the nurse's response be?

A) It is available only for patients who have a terminal illness.
B) It can help patients achieve optimal pain management.
C) It is offered when patients have less than 6 to 12 more months to live.
D) It is available if indicated in an advance directive.

Palliative Care

Specialized medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, aimed at improving quality of life.

Optimal Pain Management

The practice of systematically assessing and addressing pain to reduce suffering and improve quality of life, using a combination of medical, physical, and psychological interventions.

Terminal Illness

A disease or condition that is expected to lead to death because it cannot be cured or adequately treated.