An 81 year old Alzheimer patient is expected to die withing the next few months. He has been completely obtunded and uncommunicative but responsive to painful stimuli. He has not been eating for the last three weeks and is admitted to the hospital for nasogastric tube feeding. His wife states that he previously told her that he doesn't want artificial means to prolong his life. The patient has no living will or durable power of attorney. He has been pulling off the feeding tube on three different occasions last three days.
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
A- Discuss comfort care with his wife.
B- Recommend feeding the patient via a syringe.
C- Begin total parenteral nutrition.
D- Suggest a trial of Haloperidol that may prevent him from pulling out the feeding tube.
E- Schedule him for placement of percutaneous gastric feeding tube.
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
A- Discuss comfort care with his wife.
B- Recommend feeding the patient via a syringe.
C- Begin total parenteral nutrition.
D- Suggest a trial of Haloperidol that may prevent him from pulling out the feeding tube.
E- Schedule him for placement of percutaneous gastric feeding tube.