Ethical dilemmas in dysphagia management and the right to a natural death.

Speech pathologists are at the forefront in dealing with the consequences of life-saving measures and the technological advances that promote survival. Many ethical dilemmas exist in the area of dysphagia management and these are often emphasized in the nursing home environment. A client's autonomy and ability to make informed decisions will invariably determine the role of the speech pathologist in making decisions or facilitating debate regarding eating and feeding status.