The daughter of a terminally ill patient is upset and asks the nurse "what are you doing for my father, since you aren't even giving him anything to eat or drink?" The nurse realizes that the family member is equating foods and fluids with:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eating and drinking represent basic enjoyment in life and are often associated with social activities. Eating and drinking offer opportunities for nurturing and being nurtured; however, could have different goals. Eating and drinking may be for nourishment or for pleasure. Because there is no way of knowing what eating and drinking means to the patient or family member, the lack of food or fluids can lead to distress in family members. The family member may or may not equate the lack of food or fluids with poor care. The lack of food or fluids may or may not mean to the family member that the patient is being encouraged to die. There is not enough information to determine if the family member believes that the patient is so ill that eating or drinking would be futile.

The Daughter of a Terminally Ill Patient Is Upset and Asks