Skip to main content

Table 2 Summary of goals of treatment

From: Development and usability testing of Understanding Stroke, a tailored life-sustaining treatment decision support tool for stroke surrogate decision makers

 

Life-Prolonging Treatment

Goal: Keep alive as long as possible

Basic Treatment

Goal: Maintain physical and mental functions

Comfort Measures Only

Goal: Maximize comfort and relieve pain

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation (electric shock to the heart)

X

  

Breathing machine (ventilator)

X

  

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) care

X

  

Intravenous (IV) therapy

X

X

Sometimes used for pain

Hospitalization

X

X

Sometimes

Physical, occupational, or speech therapy

X

X

 

Pain relief

X

X

X