Any tips with smells? Please!!!

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]Okay I have recently started my clinicals for LPN. We're in our CNA rotations and I've never actually had to change anyone. I feel horible for not being able to handle it as well as I would like to, but I can't help it! I've read a couple of the posts about breathing through your mouth, focusing on something else, purfume, and a few other things. I know things are going to get worse when dealing with pressure ulcers and other types of wound care. Does anyone have ANY suggestions? Please! Any type of purfume is out of the question because were not aloud to wear any. I've heard about Vick's, Burts Bees, & keeping a mint in your mouth. I've not tried anything yet, and it wouldn't be something I had to use all the time. I just need a little more confidence when it comes to things like this I guess. I don't want gaging and dry heaving to interfer with my procedures. Any advise is greatly appreciated! Thank You!

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i tend to like a more extreme measure:

Functional and fashionable!

red-mask.jpg

:lol2:

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Specializes in Med Surg/ Rehabilitation.

I have the same EXACT problem. One of the patients I care for in the first year of nursing school....had c-diff. If you've ever smelled that, you will never forget it. Her legs were contracted in close to fetal position and trying to maneuver around that was a job in itself. This had been the first c-diff patient for me ever and I was lucky that the patient was not coherent enough to notice me gagging under my mask. I've learned to double up when I have code browns bc I just haven't been able to get used to the smell and I don't think I ever will. You can still smell it, but not as bad. The problem with me breathing through my mouth is that I feel like I'm breathing in particles of whatever that smell may be :eek: I hope I haven't ruined you forever! lol

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I am blessed in the fact that I myself have devastatingly stinky poo. So as long as I am not smelling my own, I am in good shape.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatric, Hospice.

I don't really like the idea of a mask, but maybe I'm just old fashioned. Back in school our clinical instructor would have sent us home for the day if she saw us doing patient care with a mask for our 'own' benefit. If a patient is A/O and has been incontinent, wearing a mask just to clean them up is a bit unprofessional and more than likely humiliating to them. :twocents:

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Specializes in Med Surg/ Rehabilitation.

Our instructor recommend we use masks if we cannot handle the smell. I do understand where you are coming from, it's like using gloves while taking vitals or something. However, to save more humiliation by the patient, I would rather use a mask then to throw up on a patient b/c of their stool. That's just me though.

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Honestly, I've just gotten used to it. Like someone mentioned above, be mindful of facial expressions. Sometimes inside I will be wanting to vomit, but I have to hold it together in front of the patient. It also helps to just try not to think about the smell and think about what you are doing to help the resident.

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Specializes in None yet.

Haven't read all of the replies, but I usually run and get two masks, and put toothpaste between them. It's worked with the rankest of rank.

(I also keep Vick's in my locker for the same reason. It can also be used that way.) ;)

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]Thank you guys for all of the tips!! I tried the Vick's and it worked well enough for the time being. It didn't really take care of the odor but it gave me something else to concentrate on!

]We're fixing to wrap up our CNA rotations but I am definitely stocking up and remembering all of your ideas for some of the worse smells later to come!!

]I know it may sound unusual for SPN's to have a CNA rotation, but our instructor wants us to be mastered I guess you could say in patient care. He didn't feel like we would be able to get the experience needed with so many weeks in Med Cart, Surgery, HD, End, School Nurse, ect..

]:redbeathe Thank you all again!!! I really appreciate it!!!! :redbeathe

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

Atomic Fireball jawbreakers are an essential part of my nursing supplies. So far they have worked for me for every stinky situation anyone could dream up.:dzed:

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