Highly Inappropriate

Can anybody please tell me whether or not parenterally feeding a terminally ill cancer patient is appropriate??

Hands down who agree that it is INAPPROPRIATE to do so.

hmmm......

Recently, I was treating a patient with widespread cancer to the lungs, liver and also, the bones. He was ill. We initially gave him a course of antibiotics to treat his sepsis. He did improve a little.... but after that, he never picked up again. He became increasingly dehydrated, lethargic and more unresponsive.

His swallowing was impaired, just because of his decreased consciousness. The SALT (Speech & Language Therapist) also asked to review, and she, too, was in agreement that he should not be allowed to swallow as he would be at a very high risk of aspiration.

Funnily enough, the nursing staff decided to refer this poor patient onto the dietitian. This dietitian, then, wrote in the notes the following:

" Note patient is unable to swallow. Patient would not be able to meet nutritional requirements. Consider parenteral feeding (such as via nasogastric tube or intravenously)."

I was appalled when I read that. Why would somebody attempt to force feed a dying patient? Should we not let the patient die peaceful, rather than, jamming a NG tube down his nose or poking him numerous times to gain IV access?? And, what benefit would he get by feeding him? I mean, honestly, why do you want to feed him and prolong his suffering??

I really did not get that at all.....and I felt that it was a highly inappropriate suggestion! Anyone beg to differ?