1. ARTIFICIALLY ADMINISTERED NUTRITION AND HYDRATION
TO FEED OR
NOT TO FEED

2. BASIC FEATURES TO CONSIDER
BENEFITS TO PATIENT
HARMS TO PATIENT
UNDERSTANDING OF TERMINAL CONDITION
DETERIORATING, IRRVERSIBLE PROCESS
PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE
IRREVERSIBLE DEMENTIA
“TIME” ELEMENT
WISHES OF PATIENT
NEEDS OF FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS
IDOLATRY OF LIFE

3. TERMINOLOGY “STARVATION” --- CONNOTES PAIN
DEPRIVATION OF NUTRITION AND HYDRATION
LOSS OF APPETITE, DIGESTIVE FUNCTION
LOSS OF COGNITION OR BRAIN STEM FUNCTIONING
FOOD VS. TECHNOLOGY OF FOOD DELIVERY
FOOD AND LIQUIDS BY MOUTH
MEDICALLY ADMINISTERED NUTRITION AND HYDRATION
TPN, GASTROSTOMY, NG TUBE, IV
FOOD AS SYMBOL VS. OTHER SYMBOLS OF CARING
COMPANIONSHIP
SIMPLE COMFORT MEASURES
COMMUNICATION OF THE BODY
NATURAL SELECTIVE RESPONSE --- INDICATOR OF FINITUDE
GRADUAL/SERIAL SHUTDOWN OF SYSTEMS