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. 2008 Sep;11(7):969–972. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2008.0072

Table 1.

Signs of Imminent Dying

Sign of dying Percentage of hospices with documents addressing
Decreased fluid intake 93.5%
Decreased food intake 93.5%
Breathing pattern changes 92.9%
Cold extremities 92.4%
Mottling 92.4%
Increased sleeping 91.8%
Changes at the moment of death 91.8%
Audible secretions 91.2%
Urine output changes 91.2%
Disorientation 90.6%
Incontinence 90.6%
Overall decline 90.0%
Restlessness 90.0%
Decreased socialization 87.1%
Emotional changes 85.3%
Increased temperature 82.4%
Dysphagia 77.1%
Visions 62.9%
Unusual communication 47.7%
Coma 42.4%
Sensory changes 31.8%
Paina 28.2%
Dypsneab 19.4%
Bed bound stateb 18.2%
Skin changesb 18.2%
Vital sign changesb 17.1%
Surge of energyb 11.8%
Mandibular breathingb 5.9%
a

Present in less than 30% of hospices.

b

Present in less than 20% of hospices.