special subjects
Symptom Relief for the Dying Patient
Pressure Injuries
Many dying patients are immobile, poorly nourished, incontinent, and cachectic and thus are at risk of Pressure Injuries . Prevention requires relieving pressure by rotating the patient or shifting the patient’s weight every 2 hours; a specialized mattress or continuously inflated air-suspension bed may also help. Incontinent patients should be kept as dry as possible. Generally, use of an indwelling catheter, with its inconvenience and risk of infection, is justified only when bedding changes cause pain or when patients or family members strongly prefer it. 