Which issue is associated with slowed gastric emptying in end-of-life care?

• A. Slowed gastric emptying, increased food intolerance/fullness
• B. Accelerated gastric emptying
• C. Decreased food intolerance
• D. Improved appetite with hydration

Answer: (A)

In end-of-life care, slowed gastric emptying means the stomach clears its contents more slowly, often due to aging, illness, and medications like opioids that reduce gut motility. This leads to the stomach feeling full quickly, causing early satiety and food intolerance. Patients may tolerate only small amounts of food, which contributes to poor intake and weight loss. That’s why the statement linking slowed gastric emptying with increased fullness and food intolerance best describes what we see in this setting. The other ideas describe faster emptying or unrelated improvements that don’t fit the typical GI pattern in palliative care.