Nutrition and Hydration in Dying Patients

NUTRITION AND HYDRATION IN DYING PATIENTS 1
Annotated Bibliography: Nutrition and Hydration in Dying Patients in Acute Care Settings
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Akbulut, G. (2011). New Perspective for Nutritional Support of Cancer Patients:
Enteral/Parenteral Nutrition. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 675-684.
doi:10.3892/etm.2011.247
The article by Akbulut focuses on new concepts on nutritional support for dying patients,
having cancer. The author has discussed the treatment for patients with terminal cancer and the
effects associated with those treatments. The article describes the term ‘quality of life' which
deteriorates due to the biochemical and physiological alterations that are associated with cancer
treatment. The study found that cancer cachexia and other complications can arise due to cancer-
related malnutrition as complex interactions can take place between the host metabolism and
pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition to this, the study highlighted that nutritional support for
dying patients is often supported for several illnesses, including medical oncotherapy and
surgery. The medical monotherapy in this case also covers the radiation therapies and
chemotherapies for cancer. Enteral and parenteral nutrition has been found to be helpful and to
be associated with improved condition among patients. Specifically, the said nutrition has been
to boost the quality of life, functional status, and patient survival, in a positive way.
The methodology of the study is based on reviewing data taken from the previous
research on the subject. To conduct the research, the author has collected peer-reviewed journal
articles and other research studies that are based on patients that have terminal diseases and are
near to death.
The findings of the study have revealed that parenteral and enteral nutrition support can
considerably lower the catabolic rate among patients which can help them to withstand the
effects of therapeutic measures in a better way. Those terminally ill cancer patients require
palliative care who are refractory to different therapeutic measures. In addition to this, the author

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of this study views nutrition as a basic human right and therefore perceives it vital for the
survival of a patient in an acute care setting. However, the study has found that there are still
some patients who are suffering from such specific conditions such as intestinal problems which
make the route of nutrition impossible. In such patient groups, instead of using enteral nutrition,
palliative parenteral nutrition should be used. Moreover, the decision of choosing the route of
nutrition must be taken after performing a multidisciplinary analysis of the patient’s condition.
More importantly, the patient, as well as the caregivers, must take it in account that at terminal
stages, the treatment will not prolong the patient's life.