An international nursing research study examined the ethical decision-making of "good and experienced" registered nurses in eight countries. The subjects were asked about their decision to feed or not to feed a hypothetical terminally ill, mentally alert, elderly cancer patient who refuses to eat. Cultural variations were demonstrated in the decisions as well as differences in ethical justification. The majority of nurses who would not feed appeared to use the principle of autonomy, whereas nurses who would feed the patient used beneficence as justification. Conditions under which nurses would change their decision to either feed or not feed the patient against her will included doctor's orders and lack of peer support for the decision. The majority of nurses clearly experienced a dilemma.
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Medicina (Kaunas)
January 2025
SONEV Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain.
In the context of palliative care, the aim is to alleviate suffering and improve quality of life, with particular attention to PUs, which have a significant impact on quality of life and survival. This study examines the relationship between perilesional skin condition and survival in terminally ill patients with pressure ulcers (PUs). A descriptive and observational study was conducted in two hospitals in Valencia with a sample of 100 terminally ill patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGeriatrics (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, Amphia Hospital, 4818 CK Breda, The Netherlands.
: Spinal Phenol IN Glycerol (SPING) block is a novel palliative pain treatment for the non-operative management of proximal femur fractures (PFFs) in older adults living with frailty. Effective pain management that aligns with patient preferences and minimizes opioid use is critical in this setting. This study evaluated the patient, safety, and process outcomes of SPING block in this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPalliat Support Care
January 2025
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
One of the most crucial stages of palliative care is the last days and hours of life, which require special attention and knowledgeable identification of clinical signs described as signs of impending death (SID). Our case series of 11 patients receiving home palliative care describes bilateral hypoactive, stereotyped upper arm movements (scratching of the head, forehead, and nose) that were previously unknown or described, often accompanied by SID.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Psychiatry
January 2025
The Centre for Health Ethics, Law and History, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Background: The topic of end-of-life decisions is important due to aging populations and the rising number of terminal illnesses like cancer. As more people experience suffering, the ethical, medical, and legal debates of these decisions become significant to healthcare policy. Understanding medical professionals' attitudes is critical for shaping responsible practices and legislation surrounding end-of-life care.
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