Have you seen 'the look?'

[Dialyzin' Dar]

I've been a dialysis patient for eight years, and I've noticed that some patients get 'the look of death' about two weeks before they die. Their faces become thin and their energy and mental capacity diminishes. When I see that, I try to spend extra time talking to the person. Have any of you noticed this in your units?

[Farkinott, RN]

This is not specific to renal patients. After you've been around as a nurse for a while you can look at someone and knnow that their demise is not too far away. Often it's nothing you can put your finger on. When I used to look after a lot of dying patients I would feel the feet. If the feet were warm..............not gonna be dead for a while. If they were cold the grim reaper was not too far away.

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

I've been a dialysis patient for eight years and I've noticed that some patients get 'the look of death' about two weeks before they die. Their faces become thin and their energy and mental capacity diminishes. When I see that, I try to spend extra time talking to the person. Have any of you noticed this in your units?[/quote']

Yes, Dar.. I have noticed what you describe above... our other patients notice as well. We have one patient now who fits that description.

And like you, I make sure I find that little bit of extra time to spend with the person.