Ethics and nutritional support in the intensive care unit.

Provision of nutrition and hydration through artificial means is an invasive medical intervention. As such, procedures for supplying nutrition and hydration impose burdens as well as provide benefits and may, under certain circumstances, be foregone. However, in the intensive care unit, the needs of most patients are best served by providing nutritional support. For many critically ill patients, the long-term prognosis and potential for response to treatment are uncertain. For these reasons, the presumption should be in favor of providing nutrition and hydration.