End-of-life symptom management
Pain : opioid titrated to effect, no ceiling dose, regular schedule plus breakthrough doses. Fear of hastening death is not a reason to underdose.. Dyspnea : low-dose opioid is the treatment of choice, plus a fan on the face, positioning, calm presence. Oxygen only if it relieves.. Terminal secretions : reposition on the side, stop unnecessary fluids, anticholinergic if distressing. They distress the family more than the person.. Nausea, agitation, dry mouth : treat each specifically. Mouth care every one to two hours matters more than almost anything else.