Palliative and End-Of-Life Care In Nursing: A Review Of Best Practices And Ethical Considerations

Abstract

Palliative and End-of-Life (EOL) care is a fundamental and indispensable
component of modern nursing practice, aimed at improving the quality
of life of patients living with life-limiting, chronic, or terminal illnesses,
while also providing comprehensive support to their families. This
specialized area of care focuses on a holistic and patient-centered
approach that addresses not only physical symptoms such as pain,
dyspnea, fatigue, and nausea, but also psychological distress, social
challenges, and spiritual concerns that commonly arise during advanced
illness trajectories.
Despite its global recognition as a core element of quality healthcare,
significant gaps persist in the effective implementation of palliative and
EOL care services across healthcare systems. These gaps are primarily
attributed to inadequate formal training among healthcare professionals,
ethical and moral complexities in end-of-life decision-making, cultural
and religious influences, limited institutional resources, and inconsistent
policy frameworks across different regions and healthcare settings. As
a result, many patients continue to experience suboptimal symptom
control and inadequate psychosocial and emotional support during
the final stages of life.

This comprehensive narrative review critically examines current
best practices in palliative and EOL nursing care, explores the ethical
dimensions associated with end-of-life decision-making, and identifies
contemporary strategies aimed at improving the quality and accessibility
of care delivery. A wide range of peer-reviewed literature published
between 2000 and 2025 was systematically examined using major
scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL, to ensure
a broad and evidence-informed synthesis of existing knowledge.