The use of artificial hydration and nutrition in palliative care

The use of artificial hydration and nutrition is a common practice in palliative care.
This procedure is a means to enhance the quality of life of patients who cannot feed on their
own, regardless of the increasing longevity of patients with chronic conditions such as dementia.
Conversely, the use of AHN may lead to the development of problems that may interfere with its
primary objective of enhancing the longevity of the patients. The harmful effects of the use of
AHN on patients in palliative care includes causing undue distress to the patients and family, the
need to respect patient autonomy, financial strain attributed to the use of AHN at-home care and
inferior models of delivery that can be attributed to inaccuracies and lack of monitoring.
I. Distress to patients and relatives
A. Current trends in the use of artificial hydration and nutrition
B. Review of selected studies on the application of AHN in palliative care
C. Inappropriate knowledge of nutrition balancing
II. Respect to patient autonomy
A. The use of AHN requires respect for the wishes of the patient.
B. Socio-cultural frameworks of the patient.

C. Empirical framework guiding nursing practices in acute care.
III. Financial implications of AHN
A. Expensive to maintain AHN in palliative care
B. Medical insurance providers may cover AHN to a specified period.
C. The strain on family resources may lead to a forced withdrawal of AHN.
IV. Inferior models of delivery
A. Lack of proper knowledge of enteral and parenteral delivery methods.
B. Inaccuracies in feeding attributed to automated pump feeding.
C. Lack of close monitoring of delivery of AHN.

Summary and Conclusion
Artificial hydration and nutrition is a medical practice used to prolong life in individuals
in palliative care that present good functional ability. However, the use of AHN is subject to
clinical, socio-cultural, and economic factors that favor its application or withdrawal. There are
several harmful effects of the use of AHN on patients with dementia and terminal conditions.
Notably, the application of AHN can cause distress to the patient and family. They may have
limited knowledge of its ability to enhance the longevity of life without providing curative
treatment to the patient. At the same time, the autonomy of the patient has to be respected in
clinical practice, which may cause its withdrawal in case the patient suggests so. Further, the
financial implications of AHN use, as well as inferior models of delivery, have led to
inaccuracies and complications. This has seen patients and families resort to its withdrawal at the
end of life.