Problem and management of noisy rattling breathing in dying patients

Abstract

Noisy rattling breathing in dying patients is a symptom control problem which has attracted only a fleeting mention within the literature. This study investigated palliative care nurses' feelings about the problem and the management of noisy rattling breathing in dying patients. The aspects studied were based on the literature and multidis-ciplinary team discussion, and included nurses' feelings about the distress caused by noisy rattling breathing, their perceived confidence in providing related nursing care and their thoughts and feelings about the established care options. Data were gathered from a convenience sample of twenty three palliative care nurses by means of a questionnaire. This data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that nurses perceived relatives to be particularly distressed by noisy rattling breathing, Several nurses felt that they lacked confidence in providing related nursing care and there was a felt need for clinical guidelines. The limitations of the study are discussed and the conclusion highlights the need for further research into this symptom control problem.