title: Artificial nutrition and hydration at the end of life.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: V.A. Medical Center, Wilkes Barre, PA, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: 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*