Giving resident hot water??? Is it safe???

[Misslady113]

I am a CNA in a nursing home working the 3rd shift. We have one resident who rings the bell at 2 in the morning asking for hot water for tea. She is alert. But on psych meds and has a unsteady gait. She is about 85. I have heard from some of the nurses to just give her the water to keep her quiet, but I personally don't feel comfortable giving it to her for fear that it doesn't have the proper covering the kitchen usually gives and she might spill it on herself and burn herself. She likes her water hot and I don't want to be responsible if something happens, yet I know she has the right to have the water if it will make her feel better and I feel bad refusing her. What should I do???

[rn/writer, RN]

Most of my Asian patients on the postpartum unit where I work prefer hot water. In Asian cultures, childbirth uses up the patient's heat and it needs to be replaced. I run the tap water as hot as it will go and have had no complaints. I would not microwave the water you give to this patient, but hot tap water should be safe. If she spilled it, she might be a bit uncomfortable, but I doubt that it would burn her skin. She may not like it, but you can tell her that's what you're willing to provide.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Is there any way to get her a travel mug? It's not a total spill-proof cup, but it would help. Maybe her family could bring her one? :)

And good thinking about the safety issues :)

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

Ask the kitchen staff to leave you a mug with a cover so she can have her tea. Do you have a thermometer to make sure it's not too hot?

[eman6]

you have to respect her desire but try close observation till she finish

[retiredlady]

My father had this same thing. He had to have coffee. We would go get it and pour half out and fill with water. It was still hot to him, but not enough to burn him. I would get mad at the people that would give it to him straight out of the pot, a full cup, and he would burn himself. No sense in that.