Dysphagic patients and ice chips

[Aniroc]

During clinical today, we had a patient who was NPO and on a thicked diet. She was practically begging us to bring her some water. We explained the risks of thin fluids and instead brought her some gelled oj and water. We thought maybe we could give some ice chips which would at least help her dry mouth and refreshen it a bit, but then thought the ice would melt and possible cause her to aspirate. What do you guys do in your practice for dysphagic patients who really want hydration, but can't stand the thickend fluids. Shes not on an IV either. By the way, my friend and I tasted some gelled water and it was pretty horrible

[azzurra29]

Sorry for sounding terribly naiive, but what is the danger behind what is considered "thin liquids" like water as opposed to thickened liquids for NPO patients?

I feel kind of bad because in clinical the other day a patient who was NPO and on a trach wanted some water--I shouldn't have but I left him have a few sips of water on his lips-- I felt pretty bad afterward because it was so obvious he was NPO and yet I wasn't thinking straight--that was a horrible day for me..

Any danger in a few minimal sips of water to the lips like that?

[jaramilm]

The reason why some patients are given thickened liquids as opposed to thin such as water is because thick travels down slower and it gives patients time to swallow without chocking and subsequently water may go down the trachea causing them to aspirate. The reason for NPO is sometimes they go to surgery or invasive procedures and they want the bowels to be empty in order to produce nausea and vomiting. When you give some ice chips to some one on a trach you run the risk of them chocking. But if you just wet their lips with swabs and even their mouth and suction them as needed then there is no danger!

Marie