title: Hydration in the terminally ill patient.
abstract: Dehydration is considered by many health professionals to be painful and uncomfortable, and the use of intravenous fluids is often advocated to maintain hydration in the dying patient. This article examines the issue of hydration in the terminally ill patient from a theoretical, practical, ethical and legal standpoint and suggests that dehydration may in fact be beneficial to the comfort of the dying patient.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Malone
mesh_terms: D003681:Dehydration; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care; D010166:Palliative Care; D013727:Terminal Care; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance