Final answer:
Elevating the head of the bed can help an end-of-life patient with dyspnea and noisy breathing to increase lung volume and decrease the work of breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
For a patient with dyspnea and noisy breathing at the end-of-life, elevating the head of the bed can help to both increase the lung volume and decrease the work of breathing. Elevating the head can utilize gravity to facilitate breathing and improve airflow. In contrast, suctioning secretions may also be appropriate, especially if the noisy breathing is due to secretions in the upper airway, although it should be done cautiously and considering the comfort of the patient. Administering oxygen may help if the dyspnea is due to hypoxemia, but it does not necessarily address the noise which could be from air passing through secretions. Increasing fluid intake is generally not advised in end-of-life care because it can contribute to more secretions and worsening of symptoms like dyspnea.