Citation

Fox ET. Br. J. Nurs. 1996; 5(1): 41-45.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Mark Allen Publishing)

DOI

10.12968/bjon.1996.5.1.41

PMID

8696112

Abstract

The management of dehydration is both a clinical and an ethical problem. Artificial hydration may increase pharyngeal and pulmonary secretions, which causes a choking sensation, nausea and vomiting. Food and fluid have a strong social, cultural, religious and psychological significance. Competent nursing requires expert knowledge and moral skill. The interests of the patient must always be paramount. An ethical decision-making framework provides a systematic approach to ethical problems.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Burns; Codes of Ethics; Death and Euthanasia; Ethics, Nursing; Fatal Outcome; Fluid Therapy; Humans; Professional Patient Relationship; Right to Die; Risk Assessment; Social Responsibility; Suicide, Attempted; Terminal Care; UKCC Code of Professional Conduct (Great Britain); Withholding Treatment