癌末病人補充人工營養及水分適宜嗎？

Is There a Role for Artificial Nutrition and Hydration in Terminal Cancer Patients?

10.6537/TJHPC.2011.16(1).5

高以信；張國寬

人工營養及水分 ； 癌末 ； 生命末期 ； artificial nutrition and hydration ； terminal cancer ； end of life

安寧療護雜誌

16卷1期（2011 / 03 / 01）

62 - 73

繁體中文

癌末病人常有脫水的症狀，這些症狀不僅造成病人生理上的不適，也會造成病人及家屬心理上的負擔。在生命末期，給予病人營養及水分補充是否合宜？病人及家屬應在有良好指引的病情告知下，參與人工營養及水分補充的決策。醫療人員應努力促成人工營養及水分補充的決策，再依據此決策來治療，並確保病人的喜好被尊重。期望病人在其生命末期都能接受高品質且具人性化的照護。

Dehydration is a common symptom in terminally ill cancer patients, a suffering not only to the patients, but also to the families. Is there appropriate guideline of artificial nutrition and hydration in terminally ill cancer patients at the end of life? Patients and families should be allowed to make decisions about artificial nutrition and hydration in an informed consent process that is guided under well-established principles. Health providers must ensure the decision and patient’s preference are respected. We hope terminally ill cancer patients can receive high-quality, compassionate care near the end of life.