What tricks do you have for nausea?

guest464345 · Oct 18, 2019

I tried the alcohol sniffing trick with a student the other day... Learned it in the ED. It does actually seem to help, if the person is not already vomiting or extremely nauseated. :). I give them an opened alcohol pad, have them take a good sniff, wait a minute, then another sniff.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/well/live/a-cure-for-nausea-try-sniffing-alcohol.html

Flare, ASN, BSN · Oct 18, 2019

i have used the alcohol pad trick too. I keep a jar of peppermints on my desk. If someone needs something to settle their stomach, I don't mind giving a peppermint. Both are pretty effective.

arlingtonnurse · Oct 18, 2019

Rest for five mins, water then wait five mins, crackers, another five minutes or so, then back to class if no vomiting.

BrisketRN, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2019

10 oyster crackers and a cup of water. It might not make the nausea go away but it will either improve it a little bit or they'll barf all over my office.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2019

33 minutes ago, BiscuitRN said:
10 oyster crackers and a cup of water. It might not make the nausea go away but it will either improve it a little bit or they'll barf all over my office.

YES! It's the Cracker Tolerance Test (CTT) - a highly specialized test done only in school nursing where you actually win if you don't throw up but you also win if you do throw up (go on home, sweet baby).

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2019

I also have a jar of peppermints - the ones with real peppermint oil. And it offer what I call the peppermint test (similar to the Cracker Tolerance Test); if a student spits out the mint with a look I can only describe as "I may actually vomit" face.

One thing I will note about peppermints - some are made in a facility that processes peanuts and tree nuts. So I make sure to buy ones that are not - the brand Target sells are not and contain real peppermint oil and are cheap :).

tining, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2019

I am a CTT person as well. The look of unbelief is too much. I tell them I forgot to pick up my magic wand when I graduated from nursing school.

SaltineQueen · Oct 18, 2019

Just rest.

I tried peppermints a couple of years ago and the word got out that "the nurse gives out candy" so that was the end of that.

KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN · Oct 18, 2019

16 hours ago, laflaca said:
I tried the alcohol sniffing trick with a student the other day... Learned it in the ED. It does actually seem to help, if the person is not already vomiting or extremely nauseated. :). I give them an opened alcohol pad, have them take a good sniff, wait a minute, then another sniff.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/well/live/a-cure-for-nausea-try-sniffing-alcohol.html

This is super interesting and I've never heard it! Thanks for sharing!

myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN · Oct 20, 2019

I find ginger and peppermint to be effective. Since we can't give capsules (without an MD order) I often bring ginger/ and peppermint tea along with peppermint oil mainly for use by staff. Ginger in particular has a strong evidence base for nausea.

GdBSN, RN · Oct 21, 2019

So I was reading this thread last Friday, and I read the one about rubbing alcohol. I had a student come in c/o nausea. I offered her an alcohol swab and asked her if would like to try it. She said it did make her feel better. This is going to be my new go to nausea.