Artificial Nutrition and Hydration

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews literature on the debate of administering artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) to terminal or comatose patients. The paper offers an extensive discussion on the opinions of those both for and against administration. It explores the views of science and medicine and expands on religious, moral and ethical ideas on the topic.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Literature Review
Method
Findings and Discussion
Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"A feeding tube brings benefits to a temporarily ill person who cannot swallow and is hungry or thirsty (FamilyDoctor.org 2005). Dehydration or a lack of sufficient fluids in the body can make a person confused and giving him fluids and nutrition can help as he recovers. But a person with an advanced life-threatening illness and is dying may not derive many benefits from ANH, which can extend life but not always. Moreover, there are risks to tube feeding. The liquid being administered may enter the lungs and cause coughing and pneumonia. These feeding tubes can also cause discomfort. They can get plugged up and cause pain, nausea and vomiting or infections. The patient may also tend to pull the feeding tube out. The patient's medical condition, in combination with the risks and benefits of ANH, should be the basis for a decision on whether to administer it. Every situation is different from another (FamilyDoctor.org)."

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