Silly Question :-P

TexasPediRN · Jun 21, 2006

Honestly, I've never seen a nurse wear a mask when cleaning up patients. Most likely, the patient would get offended. Now, if the patient were in isolation and needed to be cleaned, then its no problem.

However, if odors bother you- its a great idea to get a tube of Vicks Vaporub so that you can dab some under your nose before you go into the patients room to clean them.

Good luck in your nursing career- and remember, no questions are silly or dumb.

-Meghan :nurse:

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

I simply deal with the horrible odors.

You must remember that the patient is a customer, and the nurses are to provide excellent service. Wearing a mask while caring for a patient is offensive; therefore, that's unsatisfactory customer service. Learn to deal with the bad odors and just 'suck it up'.

Celtfire · Jun 21, 2006

I'm a student and have been told by many that you will eventually get used to odors and they won't bother you "as much" anymore. :barf02:

LCRN · Jun 21, 2006

I'm a student and have been told by many that you will eventually get used to odors and they won't bother you "as much" anymore.

In any situations that I wear a mask which for myself are few and far between if ever a patient insulted I usually let them know it's for their own protection when I'm cleaning them if they have any areas of break down so that I do not get any of my "germs" on them because I have a "cold" at the time. This usually prevents any embarassment and avoids an uncomfortable situation.

LCRN

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

hmmm, it does get easier with time. For a really smelly situation, I instinctively turn off my sniffers and breath very shallow through my mouth. Some may say this is worse but it has gotten me through many years of many unpleasantries.

DG5 · Jun 21, 2006

This is not a silly question. Its something most of us still battle through after years on the job. But we find ways of coping with things that come with the job we do. I try to focus on the patient all the time, and when I do that, I realise that they are a person just like me and you who need compassion and care. It kind of takes the thoughts off yourself and what you are thinking and experiencing and you focus on the real job at hand- caring for that patient. How do you think a mother takes care of her infant with a smelly diaper - the smells are totally secondary to the compassion and caring. Maybe just visualising that may help.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

I would just remember that you do get use to it...either that or it burns you sinuses so much they are deadened..LOL!!!!!!!!! Just kidding!

However, you are allowed to wear any form of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) you choose to wear in a given situation by OSHA requirements. So technically you can if you wish.

I have a CNA that wears it when she is feeling ill, or when she is near a patient that she feels may be contagious (precautions or not), and that happens quite a bit on our med/surge floor. I have not heard of any pts complaining because she explains she had a little cough and wants to keep them safe and sound...they seem to appreciate this.

It is like the glove thing basically...you use them constantly and now pts are pretty use to it. I do see some give me that look of "why do you need those?" like when I do a shot or something...but I make a little joke about gloves and make them giggle and that puts a lighter aire on the situation...I do the same with masks!

Fun things to say with mask on when you enter the room:

"Luke...I am your father".

"Wow, do I look like a surgeon or what!"

"It's the latest in the fashion trend..want one?"

"Be glad I wore this...I didn't have time to grab a mint"

"I am thinking of buying a case of these in purple..what do you think...my color?"

"honestly...I wore this cause I didn't wear my makeup!"

"I was two minutes late for report, and this is my punishment"

"We have so many flowers that I am sneezing! I thought this would be kinder than a sneeze in your direction".

"What mask..oh this? That is my energy patch! Gets you moving fast so you can get to the point you can get the darn thing OFF!"

"I am thinking of making accessories for these...what do you think...Glitter or sequence?"

"They wouldn't let me wear the boa to work...so I chose this!"

"It matches my steth!

LOL!!!!!!

NewYorkCityRN · Jun 21, 2006

These are hysterical! You seriously crack me up! :lol2: :lol2:

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 21, 2006

I'm a student and have been told by many that you will eventually get used to odors and they won't bother you "as much" anymore.

That's sensory adaptation, you'll go over it in A&P II.

RNMeg · Dec 15, 2007

I just finished my first semester of NS..I really thought odors would bother me (I gag if I'm out in public and encounter body odor..it's that bad!)..but our clinicals were in LTC and even the first time I cleaned up poop, it was no big deal. You don't even notice the smell when you're down in the thick of it (so to speak :chuckle)

lil' girl, LPN · Dec 15, 2007

I'm only a pre-nursing student so this might be a silly question but... I was wondering if nurses can wear masks while cleaning up patients?:chair: And what about if the patient has a bad odor? Would the patients get offended by this?

I've found that a mask usually makes the odor worse in the long run. The smell just permeates (spelling?) the mask and you just smell it more. But yes of course it is your RIGHT to wear one if you wish.