Factors related to providers' decisions for and against withholding or withdrawing nutrition and/or hydration in adult patient care

(1) Decisions that are made near the end of life include consideration of w ithholding or withdrawing nutrition and/or hydration. These decisions prese nt ethical challenges to health care providers who are caring for terminall y ill patients. Clinical studies published during the last twenty years pro vide empirical data about the many factors that influence these decisions. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to synthesize the resea rch findings related to provider decisions about withholding or withdrawing nutrition and/or hydration in adult patient care. The clinical, educationa l, and ethical implications of these decisions are proposed.