DEHYDRATION

Terminal dehydration is not distressing, and the only symptom of dehydration is a dry mouth. Patients do not feel thirsty, just as starving people do not feel hungry. (Intravenous fluids are rarely administered to patients dying in a British hospice, and then only if the patient is complaining of thirst – which is rare.)

Intravenous fluids tend to exacerbate discomfort in the patient close to death, and may actually add to the emotional distress of the family.

Terminal dehydration is not inevitable. During a study on hypercalcemia, 22 patients had blood taken within 48 hours of death, and 12 had essentially normal urea and electrolyte results.

Dehydration actually has a number of advantages in the patient near death. It reduces pulmonary secretions and the likelihood of vomiting, reduces urine output and the possibility of incontinence.

Careful mouth care every 2 hours is important.

The author and publisher have taken precautions to ensure that the information in this book is error-free. However, readers must be guided by their own personal and professional standards of good practice in evaluating and applying recommendations made herein. The contents of this book represent the views and experience of the author, and not necessarily those of the publisher.