Description

Hui et al reported clinical findings associated with impending death for patients with advanced cancer in two papers. These findings can alert the family and clinicians to the approaching death. The authors are from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital (Brazil), and Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.


 

Patient selection: advanced cancer

 

Outcome: death within 3 days

 

Specific clinical findings (2014):

(1) Cheyne-Stokes breathing

(2) death rattle

(3) pulselessness of the radial artery

(4) respiration with mandibular movement

(5) decreased urine output

 

Additional clinical findings (2014):

(1) periods of apnea

(2) peripheral cyanosis

 

Bedside clinical signs (2015):

(1) nonreactive pupils

(2) decreased response to verbal stimuli

(3) decreased response to visual stimuli

(4) an inability to close the eyelids

(5) drooping of the nasolabial folds

(6) hyperextension of the neck

(7) grunting of vocal cords

(8) bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract

 


To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.