I am trying to gather evidence/literature that lemon glycerine swabs in PACU are not helping the patients relieve their dry mouths. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Editorial Team / Admin dianah, ASN 9 Articles; 3,701 Posts Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology. Has 48 years experience. Jun 25, 2008 I did a brief google search and came up with this article:http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/drug.phpMentions use of lemon-glycerine swabs potentially contributing to dry mouth, as the glycerine dehydrates (article is written in context of supportive care for people undergoing rad. and chemotx).I have no direct experience to contribute, hope someone is able/willing to chime in to help.Good luck! :)
Babs0512 4 Articles; 846 Posts Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC. Has 20 years experience. Jul 2, 2008 We use those pink, minty swabs. I was surprised that when I read the ingredients listed on the swab, "mannitol" was one of the ingredients. I believe in ice chips, I used them sparingly, but they really help the patient to be more comfortable. I've also found I need less pain medication if patients are perceiving our attempts at distraction and making them more comfortable.
anne74 278 Posts Jul 9, 2008 We just pulled all the lemon swabs I guess because of this article - but I couldn't find anything about it in the linked article.Now we just use the pink sponge swabs dipped in ice water. Then, we graduate to ice chips. I think a lot of the patients disliked the lemon swabs - they tasted kind of funky anyway.
kezza444 9 Posts Jul 15, 2008 We use ice chips and graduate to sips of water. This seems to work well.
All4Seasons 155 Posts Specializes in PACU,Trauma ICU,CVICU,Med-Surg,EENT. Has 31 years experience. Jul 23, 2008 I can't see Lemon-Glycerin swabs helping when even sips of cold water don't help - it just takes time - most of our pts are given Atropine in the early intraop phase to reduce oral secretions,leaving them with an intensely dry mouth when they wake up in PACU
Babs0512 4 Articles; 846 Posts Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC. Has 20 years experience. Aug 15, 2008 Narcotics also add to the dry mouth!
blinks14 107 Posts Specializes in Surgical Telemetry. Aug 15, 2008 I wish I had the exact resources but I fought this at the surgical hospital I recently left because I had read varying reports that these swabs do contribute to dry mouth and are damaging to the mucosa. When I would find them on the unit I would get rid of them because of that. And also because we dealt with healthy post-surgical patients who should be drinking fluids anyway.
ativanni 18 Posts Aug 26, 2008 We never use these. I didn't even know they still made them! We use the green foam swabs and dip them in H2O.If they are awake enough we use ice chips.
