Ginger Ale

[stephrooth]

Can I give HS students ginger ale for indigestion? it's not in the doctor's order

[Farawyn]

I do, when I have it, unless the kid is a diabetic or allergic. 6oz.

[iggywench, BSN, RN]

I've done it in the past, but not in the past couple of years. Anytime I buy ginger ale (or any other soda) my assistant drinks it all, so I quit doing it.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

What does your policy say? Is this covered under "first aid" and do parents sign consent?

Ginger is an anti-nausea/anti-emetic herb. There's precious little ginger in ginger ale. While it might occasionally be beneficial, I'd weigh the risk of giving a non-nutritive sugary beverage during the time that food service is selling lunches with the benefit (that's federal law). Also the risk that people will just come to you for the ginger ale to get out of class.

School nursing is complicated - we're an extension of the home environment (at least in Texas), but as nurses, we gotta have a doctor's order for errything. Ginger ale, mints - any kind of palliative care that could be perceived as treatment without permission is something I shy away from. Ironically, I don't have a problem with saltine crackers, but they're far less attractive than ginger ale or mints....

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

I don't do ginger ale because I've never found it helpful myself--it has so much sugar it usually makes me feel worse. I give water and oyster crackers. I used to do saltine crackers, but now I just get big bags of oyster crackers because I can easily put them in a cup, and I found less crackers smashed up around my office.

[jess11RN]

What does your policy say? Is this covered under "first aid" and do parents sign consent?

Ginger is an anti-nausea/anti-emetic herb. There's precious little ginger in ginger ale. While it might occasionally be beneficial, I'd weigh the risk of giving a non-nutritive sugary beverage during the time that food service is selling lunches with the benefit (that's federal law). Also the risk that people will just come to you for the ginger ale to get out of class.

School nursing is complicated - we're an extension of the home environment (at least in Texas), but as nurses, we gotta have a doctor's order for errything. Ginger ale, mints - any kind of palliative care that could be perceived as treatment without permission is something I shy away from. Ironically, I don't have a problem with saltine crackers, but they're far less attractive than ginger ale or mints....

I was thinking along the same lines. If I don't have an order, I'm not giving it. Plus, if gave ginger ale for indigestion, I'd have a line of indigestion stricken children that extends down the hall.

[BluebellRN, BSN, RN]

I don't do ginger ale because I've never found it helpful myself--it has so much sugar it usually makes me feel worse. I give water and oyster crackers. I used to do saltine crackers, but now I just get big bags of oyster crackers because I can easily put them in a cup, and I found less crackers smashed up around my office.

Ooooo! I love the idea of oyster crackers.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

I'd make sure the ginger beer actually has ginger in it before you give it.

Its surprising the amount of ginger beers dont actually have any ginger in it:yes:

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I use peppermints. The kind with actual peppermint oil in them.

It is the one thing I use without a doctor's order; perhaps I'm a rebel.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i love the idea of oyster crackers. i'm getting a bag post haste! i also offer peppermints with "real peppermint oil" as an ingredient. I have ginger ale in the office, but i seldom offer it. Honestly, i usually forget that i even have it.

[stephrooth]

thanks for all the advice but I still dont know what to do

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Can I give HS students ginger ale for indigestion? it's not in the doctor's order

Ginger ale is not medicine but it should be! Don't opt for the generic go with the original accept no substitute - Canada Dry Ginger Ale

Hppy