The Last Days of Life: Symptom Burden and Impact on Nutrition and Hydration in Cancer Patients

Flashcards about symptom burden and impact on nutrition and hydration in cancer patients in the last days of life.

Anorexia-cachexia

A condition characterized by loss of appetite (anorexia) and muscle wasting (cachexia), often seen in cancer patients, which can impair oral intake and contribute to weight loss and decreased quality of life.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, which can affect a patient's ability to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration, especially in the last days of life.

Delirium

An acute state of confusion and altered awareness that can develop in the last days of life, impairing a patient's ability to communicate and report symptoms.

Refractory Cachexia

Cachexia that is not reversible with standard treatments. Contributes to persistent weight loss and decreased quality of life in advanced cancer patients.

Artificial Nutrition

Medical intervention for nutritional support, generally not recommended in the last days of life due to a lack of evidence of improved outcomes and the risk of complications.

Artificial Hydration

Involves administering fluids through various routes (enterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, or rectally), its role in the last days of life remains a debated topic.

Symptom Burden

The overall impact of symptoms on a patient's well-being and quality of life, often increasing in the last days of life for cancer patients.

Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale

A tool used to measure the intensity of various symptoms experienced by patients, often used in palliative care settings.

Palliative Care

Care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, with the goal of improving quality of life for both the patient and their family.

Goals of Care

Discussions with patients and families regarding their wishes and preferences for medical treatment, especially important in the last days of life.

Noisy and moist breathing

A common symptom in the last 48 hours of life, also known as death rattle.

Anorexia

Lack or loss of appetite, resulting in the inability to eat.

Hypermetabolism

A condition in which the metabolic rate is abnormally high