A 70-year-old female with end-stage lung cancer is experiencing severe dyspnea at rest, despite maximal bronchodilator therapy and oxygen supplementation. She reports feeling anxious and struggling to breathe. Her goal is comfort. What is the most appropriate pharmacological intervention to alleviate her dyspnea in this palliative setting?
✓ Correct Answer: Option C
Low-dose opioids (e.g., morphine) are the first-line treatment for dyspnea in palliative care, even in the absence of pain. They reduce the sensation of breathlessness and improve comfort without necessarily affecting respiratory drive at low doses.