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End Of Life Care Ethics

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After analyzing literature and conflicting perspectives on the controversial issue regarding nutrition and end of life care, I can conclude that there is much to consider when deciding to either initiate or withdraw nutritional supports. However, study results indicate that there are minimal benefits, if any, to providing nutrition during the terminal phase of illness (van der Riet et al., 2008). The patient’s decision regarding their care trumps decisions made by any individual or health care team. The patient’s wishes must be respected, despite possible conflicting personal values. If patients are unable to advocate for themselves, I believe the benefits of providing nutrition must be weighed against the risks. During the palliative stage of illness, pursuing full comfort measures is of greatest importance while providing care …show more content…

Providing nutrition, as it may seem to be the ‘right thing to do’, can lead to inadvertently prolonging the dying process (Krishna, 2011). If there is a chance that the patient may recover, I believe nutritional support should be pursued with informed consent of the patient. Informed consent is the patient’s approval of an intervention with knowledge of the possible associated risks and benefits; it is based on the patient’s right to self-determination and moral principle of autonomy (Pollard, 2014). However, if recovery from the illness is not an option and the illness itself is causing the patient grief, I do not agree with providing nutritional support, as there is more evidence supporting that it causes more harm than good. Evidence supports that dying patients experience a dry mouth at times, which is easily corrected with providing good mouth care, but do not experience hunger (van der Riet et al.,

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