ABSTRACT
Good physical care for a dying patient is very important to comfort. Care of dying patients requires very careful assessment. Treatment of pain requires a well-developed knowledge of assessment. Though the absolute number of cancer deaths continues to increase, the overall cancer death rate in high income countries has declined and there are now many new treatments available. Palliative care uses a variety of pharmacologic and psychological approaches to the management of pain. Symptom management is important to the patient's quality of life. Without good symptom management, it is difficult to have quality of life. However, having good symptom management does not ensure quality of life. Effective management of the symptoms found at the end stage of the illness is critical to achieving a good death. Other symptoms that can often accompany life-limiting illness include nausea and vomiting, dyspnea, diarrhea and constipation, anorexia, and confusion.
