Symptom control during the last week of life on a palliative care unit.

Fainsinger, Robin; Miller, Melvin J.; Bruera, Eduardo; Hanson, John; Maceachern, T.

Journal of Palliative Care, Vol 7(1), 1991, 5-11.

Abstract

Reviewed the severity of symptoms and medications administered during the last week of life of 100 consecutive patients (mean age 62 yrs). 

 

The Visual Analogue Scale scores showed that mean pain and nausea decreased as death approached. 

 

Symptom distress increased as a result of increases in drowsiness and poor activity. 

 

Delirium appears to be the symptom most difficult to control without causing sedation: 10% of all Ss were sedated for this reason. 

Nausea was the second most common problem requiring treatment, highlighting this symptom as an ongoing problem in patients. 

 

However, no Ss required sedation for nausea. Overall, 16% of Ss were sedated by treatment aimed at controlling symptom distress. 

 

 (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)