What type of procedure is performed to relieve symptoms or improve function without correcting the basic problem?

The focus of a palliative procedure is to alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life for patients, rather than to cure the underlying disease. These procedures may include pain management techniques, symptom relief measures, or interventions that help patients perform daily activities more comfortably. For example, a palliative procedure might involve the insertion of a catheter to manage urinary obstruction or chemotherapy aimed at reducing tumor size to relieve pain, even if it does not eliminate the cancer itself.

Curative procedures aim to remove or entirely treat the underlying cause of a condition, which is fundamentally different from the intent of palliative methods. Diagnostic procedures are carried out to obtain information about a patient’s condition, while exploratory procedures involve investigating the body for unknown issues, neither focusing on symptom relief or functional improvement. Thus, the emphasis in the correct choice on enhancing quality of life without addressing the root cause aligns perfectly with the definition of palliative care.