Artificial nutrition and hydration at the end of life.
Patients who are terminally ill do not respond to administration of artificial nutrition and hydration in the same way as patients who have potential for recovery. Knowledge of end-stage disease and ethical and legal parameters are necessary for health care team members to make clinically and morally sound therapeutic decisions in conjunction with the patient and family.
Smith
S A
SA
V.A. Medical Center, Wilkes Barre, PA, USA.
Andrews
M
M
D003657:Decision Making; D003681:Dehydration / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D018529:Nutritional Support / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards*; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D028662:Principle-Based Ethics; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*