question for nurses

DoctorRN · Dec 3, 2003

Did you give him tylenol and or advil?

The flu/pneumonia is not going to get better after one or two doses of medication, it takes time.

Listen to the hospital staff they have seen him and know the situation.

Don't forget to increase fluids

Brownms46 · Dec 3, 2003

First let me ask you how old is your BF?? Is he otherwise heatlhy, without any chronic illness, and a white male? And does he have insurance?? Has he taken tylenol or motrin, since being discharged from the ER, and pusing fluids??

Ooh forgot...It's a good thing you didn't listen to someone traige him over the phone, and that he was seen in the ER. I'm very surprised they told you not to bring him in!

sunshineclarity · Dec 3, 2003

He is 24, healthy, white male, has never had any health problems.

His temp. is now 103.9, the doc that saw him in the ER said that the scripts that he wrote should "cover" my BF. He has taken 3 Tylonel gelcaps 3 hours ago and has drank two bottles of water--but he has trouble swallowing and then usually coughs up mucas.

Thanks for answering me, BTW. The nurses in the ER were so rude to me!

live4today, RN · Dec 3, 2003

Sunshineclarity......healing thoughts being said right now for your BF. Having had flu and pneumonia myself at one time, I thought I was going to die, and pretty much prayed that I would during that terrible time. I'm sure your BF wants to 'check out' about now for being soooooooo sick. Poor thing. Keep him as comfortable as possible, keep the fever reducers on board, wipe his brow and sponge him down with cool tepid water several times a day and night, and push those fluids. Chicken soup helped me.....LOTS of Chicken soup and Vitamin C (1000 mg. a day). Have him stay away from dairy products and orange juice while sick, and if he wants juice to drink, give him apple juice and/or cranberry juice.

Another drink you could try with him is to heat some ginger ale with lemon in it, add a tsp. of honey and have him drink it several times a day. It's one of my mom's home remedies whenever we got the flu, and it works....it's quite soothing to drink, and helps one to rest.

I know how he's feeling. May tomorrow be a better day for him, and may his fever break by then. Nighty night! :kiss

sunshineclarity · Dec 3, 2003

thanks so much cheerful!

DoctorRN · Dec 3, 2003

Originally posted by sunshineclarity
He is 24, healthy, white male, has never had any health problems.
His temp. is now 103.9, the doc that saw him in the ER said that the scripts that he wrote should "cover" my BF. He has taken 3 Tylonel gelcaps 3 hours ago and has drank two bottles of water--but he has trouble swallowing and then usually coughs up mucas.

Thanks for answering me, BTW. The nurses in the ER were so rude to me!

That is too much tylenol!!!!

Do not exceed the recommended dose of tylenol it kills your liver!!!

Giving more than the recommended dose does not give you any more effect and it is very dangerous.

Get the boy some advil it works better for fever and body aches of flu and you have a better safety margin.

We had a young girl with flu last year that took tylenol every time she woke up... ended up taking a dose every hour or two over 24 hours and toxed her liver out. Ended up having to have a transplant.

It is not the benign drug you might think.

live4today, RN · Dec 3, 2003

Originally posted by sunshineclarity
thanks so much cheerful!

My pleasure darlin'! :kiss Hope you get some sleep tonight, too. :)

Brownms46 · Dec 3, 2003

Originally posted by sunshineclarity
He is 24, healthy, white male, has never had any health problems.
His temp. is now 103.9, the doc that saw him in the ER said that the scripts that he wrote should "cover" my BF. He has taken 3 Tylonel gelcaps 3 hours ago and has drank two bottles of water--but he has trouble swallowing and then usually coughs up mucas.

Thanks for answering me, BTW. The nurses in the ER were so rude to me!

Agree with all that has been said. The reason why I asked for the info, is that since he is usually healthy, and has no health concerns, he "should" be fine. Community Acquire Pneumonia (CAP) is most times treated as an outpt, in the young and healthy, white male. But continue to push the fluids as stated already, and continue to take scripts are ordered...no more no less. Make a schedule of when each is due., and he should be drinking enough water to keep him up peeing frequently. And yes give the advil, or motrin., but have him eat something before taking either. He could gargle with some warm, salty water if his throat is sore, but keep him drinking.

If he is bundled up in the covers, take them off and cover him with a cotton sheet. or cotton blanket, if you have them. This is going to be a rough nite for both of you. I'm very sorry that the nurses were rude to you, and it's no excuse, but maybe they were having a rough nite also.

If you have a very large pot to put water in, and if you live where the heating vents are on the floor, sit a pot of water on it, to humidify the air. If not heat some water up and let him put a towel over his head, while he inhales the vapors.

Another ole remedy my mother used to use, is cod liver oil and just enough whiskey to take away the taste of the cod liver oil. This would bring up lots of mucus and the next day, we would be good as new. Not sure why it worked, but it did, and not telling you, you should give it to him. Just stating a fact:).

I sincerely hope you BF is better real soon, and he is lucky to have you caring for him. I have a feeling you're going to make an excellent nurse:)!

I

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2003

Hi

I am at work now--on break. I have a young lady tonite with exact same symptoms. She was admitted,but we are just giving fluids and motrin 600 mgm for elevated temp.She is on an IV

antibiotic for now.They have done the usual cultures.

So,just make sure he keeps drinking so he doesn't dehydrate;

make sure he takes his meds and do listen to the folks about the tylenol--it can be deadly!!

I know he is miserable,but he'll be better in a couple of days.

Best of luck to both of you!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 3, 2003

I'm amazed that no one is talking aspirin here?! Don't overdo it--but it can be taken in between the tylenol or advil. It will reduce pain and lower temp. So if he alternates aspirin and advil/tylenol, he is taking something every two hours--keep the fluids going. (Got your drug book yet? Look it up....)

Lozenges will help with throat pain.

Chicken soup and ginger ale--both hydrate, tend to loosen mucus and are soothing. Chicken soup actually has solid research support--and it doesn't have to be homemade, even. Store brand canned works just as well.

Also, there is a gel decongestant called Zicam which is zinc and works absolutely great (use less than the directions too start--it actually IS possible to get too decongested!)

Keep him warm (but not too warm!), as long as that feels comfortable to him. Flannel jammies are good. Cool cloth on forehead may help--tends to reduce some fever.

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Dec 5, 2003

DoctorRN,

Please know I in no way was judging you, (referring to another thread)and as I posted earlier. Also know that I DO RESPECT your HONESTY and FORTHRIGHTNESS in that post. Unfortunately though, a lot of us get trampled on when we begin giving our own opinions.

As I have stated in the introductory message to my book, "We all are like snowflakes. Alike in many ways, yet very different in others, but all very beautiful to God.

Go now in peace. You are performing an excellent service to mankind, and I can see you are very dedicated to what you do.

Sincerely,

Fran:nurse: