Nun wanting to give NPO patient wafer

[Are-En-Fla]

I was approached yesterday by a nun wanting to give my NPO patient a wafer (or whatever you call it...sorry). The patient was NPO for a surgery scheduled that morning so I politely said no and apologized. What would you do? I'm a new nurse.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I'd hate to see anyone denied the Eucharist because of being NPO.

One of my friends who is an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist visits the hospital every few days to take Communion to patients. Those who are NPO are given a tiny piece of the Host on the tongue, where it melts quickly. They are considered to have received, because Jesus is present in both the bread and wine---you can take either the Body or the Blood and still be in full communion with the Church.

Which brings to mind the subject of chewing the Host---I see people do it all the time, and it bothers me because I was taught NEVER to do this because it's disrespectful. Has that teaching changed, I wonder? Does anyone know?

I haven't accepted communion in probably ten years because I do not believe that the Host is the body of Jesus. I was, however, raised Catholic and took communion (because I was forced to) every Sunday for ten years. I was never taught not to chew it and probably always did.