How do you titrate opioids for pain and breathlessness in patients with a DNR/DNI code status, but who otherwise still wish to pursue life-prolonging treatments?

Carefully! But let's be very clear about this situation: the DNR/DNI status shouldn't really affect your management if the patient wants full treatment otherwise. In fact, even if someone opts for a hospice care plan and does not want full treatment nor resuscitation, we can still have the same gene...

There's no simple answer to this question as it involves balancing risks and benefits; however, I would consider the following things:

1. First, the data suggest that opiates have minimal effect on prognosis at the end of life. Using opiates for pain and breathlessness in a patient who is short of bre...