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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 10 page research paper that discusses the ethical issues involved in withholding or withdrawing artificial nutrition and hydration from a terminally ill child. The writer describes the various types of artificial nutrition and hydration and their benefits and risks, as well as the ethical principles of beneficence, non-malfeasance, etc. within the context of this pediatric nursing dilemma. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Page Count:
10 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khartnhp.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Definition of the problem The ethics surrounding the discontinuation of supplemental nutrition and hydration for any patient is a high controversial issue (Shannon and Walter, 2005). When the patient
in question is a terminally ill child, these issues become even more emotionally charged. It is both "common and completely normal" for patients who are experiencing a terminal illness to
have a loss of appetite, that is, "decreased interest in food or drink" (Morrow, 2008). As the illness progresses, patients typically become unable to consume either food or fluid and
they often refuse to do so. It may also be true that the patient has been receiving artificial nutrition and hydration, but not receiving any benefit from this intervention. As
Morrow (2008) points out, making the decision "to withhold or withdraw artificial nutrition and hydration" at the end of life brings up intellectual, philosophical and emotional" conflicts as well as
ethical considerations; therefore, it is helpful in making such decisions to first understand "what science and medicine have found regarding artificial nutrition and hydration" in regards to terminally ill patients.
Type of artificial nutrition and hydration: Total Parenteral Nutrition: TPN is an "imperfect form of nutrition" that is typically used only in the short term (Morrow, 2008). TPN involves
the insertion of a central line, threaded through a vein, and it was once believed that it would aid cancer patients, restoring appetite and reversing weight loss. However, this assumption
has been disproven, as research studies have show that it "neither helped cancer patients gain weight nor improve their quality of life" (Morrow, 2008). Rather than benefit, TPN actually harms
the patients involved by increasing their risk for infections and problems involved with the central line used in their procedure (Morrow, 2008). Nasogastric (NG) Tubes: The NG tube is
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