Old Wives Tale or Nursing Intervention?

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/Onc.

I was just off orientation and was getting report from a more seasoned nurse. The patient was constipated and she offered him prune juice and a light bulb went off. Why didn't I think of that? What a smart idea? Instead of calling the Dr. for an enema or senokots, why not offer prune juice?

What other old-timey remedies do you use as a nursing intervention? I'd love to learn more. The other day I tried offering milk to a patient for some indigestion. The only med I had was phenergan which I thought was a bit much for indigestion. The patient liked the idea and it seemed to work. (Within her diet, etc.)

I know we often use hot coffee and warm prune juice for constipation, as well as good old fashion walking around. What else is out there? For my kids, my goto remedy is an ice pack, but in the hospital, I know we can't always use ice or heat without an order.

I'm thinking LTC nurses have a ton of these. Am I wrong? I'd love to learn more stuff.

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Specializes in NICU.

Great idea for a thread...

How about using soda to unclog a feeding tube

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Specializes in Army Medic.

Something you can use at home.

If your kids get stung by a bee, cut an onion in half and rub it on the area. Neutralizes the venom.

Of course we don't really see too many bee's these days...was a problem when I was young.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Warm prune juice for constipation. Or popcorn - tastes much better! (family must in. I always say, what a good excuse for double double butter popcorn from Kernels!)

Flat ginger ale for nausea.

Warm pack for cramps/gas pain.

If a pt is finally really down/blah/whatever, I give them a really hot wash cloth and tell just hold it over their face for a moment. It really revives you. I do this for myself sometimes.

Coke to unclog a feeding tube (hmm - what is this doing to my stomach??)

running water to help a pt pee.

Pour warm water over genitals to help a pt pee

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/Onc.

I've also read to use deodorant on bee stings. The kind with aluminum in them.

I think in nursing school they told us that the evidence doesn't really show that the coke in the g-tube thing works.

Gingerale for nausea...we don't keep that on the floor, but I've offered sprite and crackers to nauseated patients before.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med-Surg.

I was told by a nursing instructor if you have a male patient that is unable to void stand him up with the urinal and crack open an ammonia stick under their nose.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

Years ago when I worked post-partum we used to pass our "Prune Juice Cocktails" like it was crack cocaine. In a cup warm 1/2 cup prune juice and 1/2 cup orange juice(with pulp, preferrably.) Give the patient the warm cocktail and a hot coffee chaser. This stuff is like drano~!

Oh, and if they can't pee after delivery? sit them on the toilet and put their hand in warm water for a few minutes. Just like potty training!

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Specializes in NICU.

Cold water washcloth on the forehead for nausea. That seems to really help.

I'm a big fan of warm packs for the belly--it helps with gas as an earlier poster pointed out, but most patients also find it a good comfort measure. A warm blanket also works wonders :).

And no matter how old a patient is, the one of the best cures for anxiety is sitting--maybe holding a hand--at the beside until they fall asleep.

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Specializes in VASCULAR, MED SURG, GERI, CLINIC, REHAB.
I was just off orientation and was getting report from a more seasoned nurse. The patient was constipated and she offered him prune juice and a light bulb went off. Why didn't I think of that? What a smart idea? Instead of calling the Dr. for an enema or senokots, why not offer prune juice?

What other old-timey remedies do you use as a nursing intervention? I'd love to learn more. The other day I tried offering milk to a patient for some indigestion. The only med I had was phenergan which I thought was a bit much for indigestion. The patient liked the idea and it seemed to work. (Within her diet, etc.)

I know we often use hot coffee and warm prune juice for constipation, as well as good old fashion walking around. What else is out there? For my kids, my goto remedy is an ice pack, but in the hospital, I know we can't always use ice or heat without an order.

I'm thinking LTC nurses have a ton of these. Am I wrong? I'd love to learn more stuff.

Well my favorite is 30cc mom and 30 cc prune juice, I call it the bomb.

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Years ago when I worked post-partum we used to pass our "Prune Juice Cocktails" like it was crack cocaine. In a cup warm 1/2 cup prune juice and 1/2 cup orange juice(with pulp, preferrably.) Give the patient the warm cocktail and a hot coffee chaser. This stuff is like drano~!

Oh, and if they can't pee after delivery? sit them on the toilet and put their hand in warm water for a few minutes. Just like potty training!

LOL I confess when I read that, I was thinking, " Just like what would happen to the first gal who fell asleep at slumber parties." :rolleyes:

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Prune juice and 7-up over ice . . .. :up:

steph

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Specializes in Med Surg, Home Health, Dialysis, Tele.

Tablespoon of peanut butter for hiccups, works everytime!!!

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