Ginger Ale

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

Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

I do ginger ale, peppermints and crackers....there isn't much else we can do :)

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
thanks for all the advice but I still dont know what to do

Some of us do. Some of us don't. What does your policy say? What does your nurse manager say?

Failing all that, if you're asking on this forum you have a concern, which means you probably think you shouldn't but are looking for support. If you don't find the support you need, it won't hurt to withhold the ginger ale.

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Some of us do. Some of us don't. What does your policy say? What does your nurse manager say?

Failing all that, if you're asking on this forum you have a concern, which means you probably think you shouldn't but are looking for support. If you don't find the support you need, it won't hurt to withhold the ginger ale.

This is the right answer.

Also, I love the oyster crackers idea.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

Nope, I do not buy ginger ale, because then students would be in here all the time just for the ginger ale!

I do think it works,but I am not going there!

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
Can I give HS students ginger ale for indigestion? it's not in the doctor's order

It's simply a soft drink. But if you are worried about someone with diabetes, you can get sugar-free ginger ale. Sometimes a soda cracker can help too.

We use to give that to pregnant women with morning sickness, who couldn't take certain meds years ago. It seemed to help.

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Specializes in school nurse.
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 wonder if it's actually the carbonation that helps, considering the low amount of actual ginger. (And the fact that many people still swear it helps.) It'd be interesting to give kiddos with stomach upset some seltzer and see if that helped. (Also, no extra sugar...) I'd pity our lot in life if we couldn't give fizzy water to a child without an order.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
...I'd pity our lot in life if we couldn't give fizzy water to a child without an order.

You bet!!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

In lieu of ginger ale, cola soda can be given. It's the fizziness that works. But you're all correct, the kids would be lined up and winding around bldg for a dose.

I like the seltzer idea though for myself. I've said this before, I learn from you guys. TY

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I don't need a doctor's order for it nor do I mind using gingerale, in our district parents would need to supply it in order for their child to have it. I don't even have crackers in my office (unless supplied by a parent for their child).

I'm one of those nurses that refuses to use my own pocket money to buy stuff for the clinic for student use.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
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

What?! No way man. Vernor's Ginger Soda or nothing!

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I'm not a school nurse, so I have no idea of the policies or standing orders you deal with.

I would suggest that ginger lozenges - there are many brands, such as Gin Gins or Tummydrops.

Or crystallized ginger...

These would have the actual ginger benefit, and keep the soda junkies at bay. Only serious nausea sufferers will take of those lozenges or eat a piece of crystallized ginger!

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I wonder if it's actually the carbonation that helps, considering the low amount of actual ginger. (And the fact that many people still swear it helps.) It'd be interesting to give kiddos with stomach upset some seltzer and see if that helped. (Also, no extra sugar...) I'd pity our lot in life if we couldn't give fizzy water to a child without an order.

Alka Seltzer has aspirin in it. Thats why I don't give it to them

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