In the respiratory pattern. In the final hours of life, the dying patient’s respirations may become labored, with deep breaths and long periods of apnea, referred to as Cheyne-Stokes respirations. Families are reassured that this is not distressing to the child and that it is a normal part of the dying process. However, the use of opioids can slow the respirations to make the child breathe more easily, and scopolamine, usually applied as a topical patch, can help reduce noisy respirations, known as the “death rattle.” Noisy respirations are more likely to occur if the child is overhydrated.