A comparative study of observations of terminal dehydration between beginning and experienced hospice nurses

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in observations related to terminal dehydration in hospice clients between beginning and experienced hospice nurses. A non-experimental comparative study design was used. A non-probability convenience sample of hospice nurses was identified. Nurses meeting the criteria for each group completed a Likert scale questionnaire related to observations of terminal dehydration. Mean scores for each group were compared for statistical significance using a two-tailed t test for independent samples. Statistical analysis supported the research hypothesis with a probability of p < .02. This suggests that hospice nurses with experiential knowledge of terminal dehydration in hospice clients identified more positive observations of this process than did beginning hospice nurses.