The Role of Intravenous Fluids and Enteral or Parenteral Nutrition in Patients with Life-limiting Illness

Meghan E Lembeck; Colette R Pameijer; Amy M Westcott

doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2016.04.019

The Role of Intravenous Fluids and Enteral or Parenteral Nutrition in Patients with Life-limiting Illness

Med Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;100(5):1131-41. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2016.04.019.

Authors

Meghan E Lembeck¹, Colette R Pameijer², Amy M Westcott³

Affiliations

¹ Internal Medicine, PinnacleHealth Primary Care, Annville Family Medicine, 475 North Weaber Street, Annville, PA 17003, USA.
² Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Mail Code H149, PO Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
³ Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Mail Code H106, PO Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. Electronic address: awestcott@hmc.psu.edu.

PMID: 27542432
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2016.04.019

Abstract

The decision of whether or not to use artificial nutrition or hydration is one with which many health care providers, patients, and families struggle. These decisions are particularly challenging in the setting of life-limiting illness, which is often associated with a prolonged decline because of medical advances in these patient populations. A patient-centered and family-centered approach helps to attain high-quality care in this special population.

Keywords: Artificial hydration; Artificial nutrition; Dying; End of life; Intravenous fluids; Life-limiting illness.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Communication
Deglutition Disorders / therapy
Dementia / therapy*
Enteral Nutrition* / economics
Enteral Nutrition* / methods
Fluid Therapy*
Humans
Infusions, Intravenous
Neoplasms / therapy*
Parenteral Nutrition* / economics
Patient Care Planning
Terminal Care*