Vol 11, No 4 (2017)
Review paper
Published online: 2018-02-28

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Emergencies in palliative care — clinical practice based on evidence

Izabela Anna Bętkowska1, Zbigniew Zylicz2
Medycyna Paliatywna w Praktyce 2017;11(4):153-165.

Abstract

Treatment of emergencies in palliative medicine aims mainly to improve quality of life more rarely pro­long survival. Doctors and nurses working in palliative care should conduct an appropriate assessment of the clinical situation and start appropriate treatment according to current knowledge, ethical standards with most benefits provided to patients and caregivers. In this article the most common emergencies in palliative care: circulatory, nervous, alimentary, urinary, respiratory and skeletal systems and metabolic, haematology and psychiatric disturbances were discussed. Drugs used in emergencies that doctor should have with them on home visit or in stationary hospice and in hospital were proposed.

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