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Which of the following is NOT appropriate to tell a family regarding nutrition at the end of life?

1: Dying patients rarely feel hungry or thirsty
2: Fewer calories are needed at the end of life
3: The experience of eating remains unchanged at the end of life
4: Patients should not be made to feel guilty if they do not wish to eat

User Rkday
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The incorrect statement to tell a family about end-of-life nutrition is that the experience of eating remains unchanged, as eating experiences often shift significantly due to reduced hunger and altered physiological needs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is NOT appropriate to tell a family regarding nutrition at the end of life is: "The experience of eating remains unchanged at the end of life". This includes explaining that dying patients may rarely feel hungry or thirsty, that fewer calories are needed at this stage, and that patients should not be made to feel guilty if they do not wish to eat. At the end of life, the physiological processes change significantly, and a dying person may experience a natural decline in hunger and thirst.

These changes mean that fewer calories are often needed, and the patient should not feel obliged or be coerced into eating or drinking if they do not wish to. Families should be sensitively made aware that declining to eat or drink is a common aspect at this stage, and the experience of eating can be markedly different or uncomfortable. It is important to support the patient's choices and comfort, rather than imposing expectations based on how a healthy individual might feel about food and hydration.

User Bschneidr
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