American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ABFM Practice Questions and Study Guide

When considering the management of terminally ill cancer patients who are receiving palliative chemotherapy, an essential aspect is how these patients approach end-of-life decisions and the impact of treatment choices on their care dynamics.

Patients who receive palliative chemotherapy often do so with the hope of improving their quality of life or possibly extending it, even when facing terminal diagnoses. This treatment approach can inadvertently lead to increased interventions that may not align with end-of-life comfort goals. Specifically, the likelihood of undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) becomes more pronounced because the presence of ongoing treatment can create an expectation or hope for recovery, thus prompting continued aggressive measures, including resuscitation efforts.

Furthermore, the administration of palliative chemotherapy may delay discussions about hospice care or other supportive measures that are typically characteristic of a gentler approach to end-of-life care. As a result, the patients are less likely to be transitioned effectively into hospice care, and the emphasis remains on curative or life-prolonging treatments rather than on comfort measures.

While mechanical ventilation and dying at home are also factors in end-of-life care, terminally ill cancer patients receiving palliative chemotherapy often opt for more aggressive interventions, hence increasing the likelihood of being subjected to CPR in emergencies.