omg...fish oil!

allnurses Guide · Oct 25, 2016

Get some fragrant oils and some plastic med cups, dip cotton in the oils, and leave

this all over the unit. One unit I worked on used Peppermint Oil, though I hate the

smell of it, would rather smell poop. There are other oils to use. And yes, you could

use the Vicks under your nose. :)

beckster_01, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2016

We did just break out the essential oils. So now it smells like a minty fish. Or a fishy mint. I'm not quite sure but it is preferable. We also tried getting a hold of activated charcoal but the pharmacy told us they don't carry it (?!?) and ED told us that pharmacy is lying. LOL. Ill be sure to keep y'all updated on this evolving situation

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Oct 25, 2016

Triple bag?

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2016

Could you put it into a plastic container like a clear Tupperware? That might help control the smell better than bags and if it is clear is should be legal.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2016

Is this where physicians throw proven medicine down the drain because some mom became an Internet doc and her kid recovered? And let's throw the actual proven medical treatments that may have aided in his recovery out the window???

SMH, that physicians don't just realize there is not always an explanation. Now, let's just throw fish oil at everyone????? Oh my.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Oct 25, 2016

Fish oil capsules?

beckster_01, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2016

A little bit yes. There is only one case study that I know of, but it isn't an unheard of recommendation. The idea is that Omega3's are essential for neuro growth and recovery, so lets give huge doses to saturate this person in fish oil. But there have been no clinical trials so therefore no way to say that the improvements we see are related to the omega 3's. But since there is low-to-no risk our doctors just do it in young patients with uncomplicated hospital courses- meaning the only thing wrong with them is their brain.

Therapeutic use of omega-3 fatty acids in severe head trauma

Many nurses make themselves DNR. One nurse I know declares herself a DNRT (do not rectal trumpet).. me? I am a DNGFO. Do Not Give Fish Oil. Any neurorecovery that I have seen is not what I would call meaningful...

NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN · Oct 25, 2016

I feel your pain with the fish oil odor. I went to visit my mother in law a few years back and my husband and I were wondering what the heck smelled like nasty fish. Turns out Dr. Oz had gotten to her. She had heard "it was good for her skin". Well, she had been putting it all over her face each morning. We kindly suggested to switch to ingesting the capsules, not wearing them. The smell was horrible.

As far as the odor, I agree that Vicks equals minty fish. Sometimes it's better off without it. Same thing goes for trying to mask the smell of c-diff.

beckster_01, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2016

I totally can embrace C-diff for what it is. Truly most smells don't bother me, my nose is actually a little broken! Good call on your MIL- I can't imagine willingly spreading this stuff on my face of all things! Unfortunately capsules are not an option unless you can think of a way to squeeze one down the dobhoff. I have a few days of so I at least get a break. I'm not sure what families think of this treatment. It permeates their skin, and don't get me started on the poop! Opening the med room door actually helps too, at least there is some ventilation going on!

morte, LPN, LVN · Oct 26, 2016

Carlson Labs | #1 Liquid Fish Oil in the U.S. | Lemon

and keep the fridge just above freezing. change bags freq. someone must be getting the oil on the bags themselves.

Libby1987 · Oct 26, 2016

One of our hospice nurses told me of a trick that she uses for both herself and her patients during terminal wound care.. Some drops of peppermint oil on the inside of a mask.