Which term describes a disease or condition that will eventually cause death?

• A. Swelling
• B. Tachycardia
• C. Temperature
• D. Terminal Illness

Answer: (D)

A terminal illness describes a disease or condition that will eventually lead to death. This term signals a prognosis where curative treatment is no longer the goal, and care shifts toward comfort, quality of life, and honoring the patient’s wishes. In CNA practice, recognizing a terminal illness helps guide how you support the resident—focusing on symptom relief, dignity, and compassionate end-of-life care, and coordinating with the rest of the care team and the family about comfort needs and any advance directives. Swelling is edema, tachycardia is a rapid heart rate, and temperature refers to body heat or fever; these describe symptoms or signs, not the inevitability of death from a disease, so they don’t convey the same prognosis.