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Palliative cancer care - general issues - Management
How should I recognize the terminal phase?
- It is essential to recognize the signs of dying in order to appropriately care for people at the end of life.
- People are likely to be in the terminal phase of their illness when they:
- Deteriorate day by day or faster because of their underlying condition.
- Express a realization that they are dying.
- Have reduced cognition, and are drowsy or comatose.
- Are bed-bound.
- Take little food or fluid, and have difficulty taking oral medication.
- Are peripherally cyanosed and cold.
- Have an altered breathing pattern.
In depth
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