Purposful dehydration in a terminally ill cancer patient.
The management of terminally ill patients who are unable to maintain their own hydration, or who express a wish to discontinue artificial hydration, is a significant controversial topic among healthcare professionals, patients and families. Evidence-based research suggests a number of medical and nursing indications and contraindications for dehydration. The purpose of this article is to review the current research, consider the factors involved in decision-making and clarify the complex issues which have implications for nursing surrounding the management of dehydration in terminally ill patients. The article uses the case of a patient nursed by the author and is written as a reflective account of practice.
Maxwell
Lesley-Ann
LA
School of Health Science, University of Wales, Swansea.
D000368:Aged; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D013727:Terminal Care; D006113:United Kingdom; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000941:ethics*