title: Terminating nutrition and hydration from patients in persistent vegetative states.
abstract: Personal stress has been identified as the most significant issue for neuroscience nurses (NNs) who care for patients in persistent vegetative states (PVS). Several factors outside the realm of nursing contribute to this stress. One factor that NNs can influence is how they deal with terminating nourishment. This is discussed in the context of the significance of food in our society, and a recommendation that should help NNs to deal with this issue is presented.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D004995:Ethics, Professional; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000451:nursing*; D011788:Quality of Life; D026712:Value of Life; D028761:Withholding Treatment