Final answer:
Shortness of breath is the most feared symptom in a dying patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most dreaded and feared symptom in a dying patient can vary depending on the individual, but one commonly experienced symptom is shortness of breath. This can cause great distress and anxiety as it affects the person's ability to breathe properly, leading to feelings of suffocation. Shortness of breath can be caused by a variety of factors such as lung disease, heart failure, or fluid accumulation in the lungs.
While other symptoms like severe pain, nausea and vomiting, and confusion and delirium can also be present in dying patients, the feeling of not being able to breathe can be particularly distressing and is often considered the most feared symptom.