A Terminally Ill Patient Wants to Stop All Foods and Fluids

Multiple Choice

A terminally ill patient wants to stop all foods and fluids but the family is trying to dissuade him from this decision. Which of the following can be done to help the family and patient?

A) Ensure the family that the patient is most likely not going to stop eating and drinking
B) Tell the family that the patient will continue to receive fluids through an intravenous line even though he wants to stop eating and drinking
C) Talk with the family about the advantages of voluntarily stopping eating and drinking
D) Explain that even though the patient says he wants to stop eating and drinking it will not last and in a day or two, he will start to eat again