Smells like...

[LouisVRN, RN]

So I've been a nurse 3 years and have worked med/surg all of that three years. During those three years I've smelt a lot more than I ever imagined however the other day encountered something new...stool that smells like burnt rubber. Any idea what could have caused this? Pt was not admitted ffor gi reasons and stated this was new.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Is he on a medication that could have caused this? Also I've heard people say their urine/stools smelled different when they changed their diet or are dieting, or when they use herbal remedies sometimes.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Smells like a GI consult....

When I searched for it a few seconds ago- the two most common answers were (noncommittal) GI bleed (If you've never smelled it, ask one of the nurses who has- they won't forget it- EVER)....or colon CA....or malabsorption..... I would describe the GI bleed smell as more ironey...but very distinctive (like walking down a LTC hallway, smelling it, asking who has the GIB, and when the nurse says "nobody", getting Hemoccults for anybody in the vicinity of the smelly room....

Not normal...I'd ask for a stool study...occult blood, O&P, cultures, whatever else is on the menu....

[LouisVRN, RN]

I have smelled a gi bleed before and like you said its something I definitely won't forget. Definitely wasn't that. Pt admitted with dehydration and electrolyte disturbances, in part, do you think that could contribute? Otherwise meds were home meds and so figure that could pretty much rule out a medication induced cause as pt said it was new.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

LouisVRN said:

I have smelled a gi bleed before and like you said its something I definitely won't forget. Definitely wasn't that. Pt admitted with dehydration and electrolyte disturbances, in part, do you think that could contribute? Otherwise meds were home meds and so figure that could pretty much rule out a medication induced cause as pt said it was new.

IDK. I'd be sure the doc knows. If the pt is rehydrated, and things smell better, then maybe that's part of it, but I've seen a lot of dehydrated people, and their poop didn't remind me of burnt rubber (another distinctive odor). And, some people smell things that others don't.... cyanide's "sweet almond" smell is only smelled by those with the genes for that 'gift'- lol. Maybe you're gifted, and this person has something that nobody else has picked up on (not the craziest idea :)).

I'd definitely be sure the doc knows....if they don't read notes consistently, maybe a note on the chart??

orificenic can smell like garlic, and ammonia odors can be from liver disorders.

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

Are they on any antibiotics? That can cause some weird sulfurous smells.

And for pete's sake, never, ever get IV meripenum on your scrubs, it will not only make you smell like a person who's been dead a week, it will take the finish off of your clothes and make a nasty rough spot. And it will make a pt's BM smell horrible...

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

......teen spirit???? (sorry couldn't resist)

Some OTC laxatives can smell much like burnt rubber. Pt perhaps has an eating disorder? GI consult, definetely!

[MistaT33]

Iron does this. I've known people who were taking iron supplements and it made their burps smell like burnt rubber. So I'm assuming it would cause the same coming out the other end. I'm GI bleed too, being that iron is readily found in blood.

[beast master RN]

eating microwaved tires could possible make that happen, did you do a good background??

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

So does orlistat.....Alli..:)