ELNEC 4: Symptom Management in Palliative Care Practice Test

Depression in palliative care is multifactorial, with four main domains that can contribute to mood symptoms: disease-related factors (the illness itself and its physiological effects), psychological factors (emotional distress and coping difficulties), social factors (isolation, caregiver burden, financial or role changes), and medications and treatment-related factors (side effects from drugs, withdrawal, or burdens of treatment). Recognizing these categories helps clinicians assess where the distress is coming from and tailor interventions accordingly—addressing illness-related symptoms, providing psychological support, connecting patients with social resources, and reviewing medications or treatment plans to minimize adverse effects. While spiritual distress can impact mood, it is not listed here as a separate category in this framework. Therefore, the statement that these categories include disease-related, psychological, social, and medications and treatment causes is true.