Patient refusal of nutrition and hydration
Encyclopedia : P : PA : PAT : Patient refusal of nutrition and hydration
People who feel they are near the end of their life often consciously refuse food and/or water. Published studies [link] indicate that "within the context of adequate palliative care, the refusal of food and fluids does not contribute to suffering among the terminally ill", and might actually contribute to a comfortable passage from life: "At least for some persons, starvation does correlate with reported euphoria."
See also
References
- [Patient Refusal of Nutrition and Hydration: Walking the Ever-Finer Line] American Journal Hospice & Palliative Care, pp. 8-13, March/April 1995
- [END-OF-LIFE Nutrition]
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