The idea that the nose is the first indicator that someone is approaching death is not medically or scientifically accurate. While it is true that various changes can occur in the body as it approaches the end of life, to focus solely on the nose as a primary indicator of impending death is an oversimplification.

When a person is nearing death, there can be many physical, physiological, and clinical signs that health care professionals use to assess the patient’s condition. Some of these signs include:

Changes in vital signs: Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate can become erratic and unstable when the body’s systems start to stop working.

Altered mental status: Patients may experience confusion, restlessness, or changes in consciousness.

Respiratory changes: Breathing patterns can change, often becoming irregular, shallow, or labored.