GT feeding stopped after family's wishes

[zmaldon]

I am in an ethical and moral dilemma. A patient has her feeding tube stopped as per family's wishes. The patient is still alert and can comprehend even though she is bed bound. I was convinced that it was her wishes as well but no living will was provided in her chart. Now they are medicating her with Ativan. Am I entitled to refuse to give her meds even though it's all set and done? The patient is not ill and I feel is being starved. What to do, I want to quit.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think my mother would have used her last bit of strength to kill me if I had tried to force her to eat (or do anything) after she decided she had done enough and it was time to go. She slept peacefully away on meds with my step-father sitting beside her reading the paper. I am very grateful she had such a peaceful death in such a kind, caring environment that didn't try to force her live one more day of struggle.

She didn't have a tube of any kind (except nasal cannula) -- and didn't want one. She had gradually reduced her intake and no one tried to force her to take in anything she didn't want. It was all about letting her take the lead and allowing her to die in her own way and her own time.