Is this neglect

[autumnleaf]

We have a sever dialysis patient at our long term care facility. He is new. He is on a fluid restriction of 1600 a day which he gets with his meals and fluids he gets with his medication. He will demand water I have educated the CNA's that I manage to not give him water. I also would not allow a cup in his room because if one is in there he will go to the sink and fill it up. I know I could not take a cup of water out of his hand if he should do that but is it neglect to not give him a cup of ice. all of our other patients get a cup of ice 3 times a day. I am not concerned about the ice melting and him drinking that but I am concerned about him using the cup and we really would have no record of how much water he has drank. but is it neglect? I worry that if something did happen then my license is on the line . they would say you knew he was on a fluid restriction yet you allowed a cup to be in the room knowing he would use it. What would you all do in this situation. the nurses where I work are divided on this.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Dialysis pts are ALWAYS thirsty. Some things to try:

1. Suck on lemons, lemon drops.

2. Chew gum.

3. lollipops

4. Some flavored swabs.

5. Sprays that moisten the mouth.

6. Other flavored lozenges.

And...yes, if he is AAOX2 or 3 - he has the right to be noncompliant. There is a 20% mortality rate each year for dialysis patients.