Withholding or Withdrawing Nutrition at the End of Life
Creator
Holmes, Susan
Bibliographic Citation
Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987) 2010 Dec 8-14; 25(14): 43-6
Abstract
Food and fluids are essential to life and play important social and psychological roles. Despite increased understanding of the appropriate use of artificial nutrition, its use is particularly challenging for professionals and families. This may be complicated by misunderstanding about its likely benefits and burdens, concern about patient suffering and ambivalence regarding the moral status of feeding. When patients are unable to meet their fluid and nutritional needs orally it is necessary to consider whether artificial nutrition is appropriate. Therapeutic decisions should be based on a clear understanding of the overall goals of care and the application of ethical principles that can provide a framework to guide practice.
Date
2010-12Collections
Metadata
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Del Río, Norma (2010-07)In this article, the author reviews the legal precedents that underpin the policies and practices found in most medical settings in relation to artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) as the context for exploring the ...