[Advantages of dehydration in dying patients. Nursing aspects]

Many caregivers still believe that the use of intravenous infusions or nasogastric tubes should be an automatic response to dehydration in patients who are close to death. The decision for doing so is more influenced by emotional factors than by a clear review of the problems and advantages artificial fluid therapy can cause in the individual. However dehydration can be advantageous for the dying by alleviating certain symptoms. The main problem--a dry mouth--can be treated by often and regular mouth-care, eventually done by the relatives of the patient. There can be an exchange of roles: By caring for "their" patient the relatives become more responsible for him and health-care professionals are acting more in the background supporting them.