Question

A 68-year-old man with metastatic colorectal cancer and severe hepatic metastases has worsening pain and nausea in the last weeks of life. He has decision-making capacity and declines further investigations or chemotherapy, asking instead for focus on comfort and symptom control. What is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Respect his decision and focus on optimising symptom control and holistic palliative care

Answer

Insist on further investigations to avoid missing reversible causes

Answer

Refuse to prescribe strong opioids as this may hasten death

Answer

Discharge him from oncology follow-up as he has refused treatment

Answer

Tell him that advance care planning is not appropriate at this stage

Practice question