Signs of End-of-Life Restlessness
Death Rattle
As responsiveness decreases toward the end of life, it becomes increasingly difficult for patients to control oropharyngeal secretions. The death rattle of the actively dying is the sound of air movement across pooled secretions. Although not a cause of suffering for the dying, the death rattle can be disturbing for loved ones to hear. Repositioning the patient's head and using anticholinergics such as atropine or scopolamine are the mainstays of treatment.15