The dying patient.
Most terminally ill patients experience symptoms that require treatment as death approaches. The most common symptoms are pain (5% to 51%), dyspnea (28%), oral and respiratory secretions (25%), nausea and vomiting (10% to 14%), confusion (10%), myoclonus (12%), and bowel and bladder problems (over 20%). These symptoms can be well controlled in up to 90% of individuals with appropriate communication; emotional, spiritual, and social support; noninvasive clinical evaluation; and therapy focused on symptom palliation. Types of drugs that are important in symptom control include opioids, co-analgesics, anxiolytics, and anticholinergics. To be effective, these medications must be readily available for use and often need to be given by a non-oral route.
Cowan
J D
JD
Palliative Medicine of East Tennessee, 1915 White Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916, USA. JCowan@CovHlth.com
D003142:Communication; D003693:Delirium / Q000628:therapy; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000628:therapy; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D019452:Terminally Ill; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control