You don't feel like soap and water so I think I'll run away.....

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Specializes in Peds Hem, Onc, Med/Surg.

Ok, so I had this pt right who smelled horrible. It wasn't even the I'm-sick-smell, it was the I-haven't-take-a-bath since-the-day-I-was-born smell.

I usually have a pretty good stomach but this man almost made me puke it was so bad. :no: I tried to make him take a bath but he would not take one. He refused and refused. Of course my preceptor thought it was hilarious how I tried to make him take a bath. -_- Not even my tech wanted to go in there.

I usually make mistakes and it never made me feel as bad as not being able to make this man take a bath. IT WON'T KILL YOU!?! ITS ONLY SOAP AND WATER!!

I can't think of anything else I could have done with him. Any ideas? I honestly wanted to throw a bucket of water on this man. I felt like a failure because I felt I couldn't give the best nursing care because I didn't want to be within 2 feet of the guy.

I bet it was written all over my face; every time I came out of the room, all the other nurses laughed at me....:scrying:

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Specializes in Oncology, Cardiology, ER, L/D.

I once had a pt whose body odor was so bad, my gag reflux would start. Try Vicks Vaporub under your nose, the pt can't see it so he won't be embarrassed and you won't smell him, at least not as bad, and then you can do your job without wanting to pass out! Good luck.

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Specializes in Peds Hem, Onc, Med/Surg.
I once had a pt whose body odor was so bad, my gag reflux would start. Try Vicks Vaporub under your nose, the pt can't see it so he won't be embarrassed and you won't smell him, at least not as bad, and then you can do your job without wanting to pass out! Good luck.

hmm that sounds like something to try.

I should start carrying some around with me. Thanks! :D

I think what bothered me the most was that he could take a bath no problem but didn't want to......(somehow I get the feeling he just wanted to bother us)

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if the pt doesn't have any acute mental issues, perhaps an experienced nurse should reorient him...

meaning, that he should be told that his body odor is strong and offensive:

and also educate him on risks of bacterial contamination and subsequent infection.

of course it should be stated sensitively, but being the direct person i am, i would tend to tackle the issue head on.

leslie

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Well you know, you just can't make someone have your standards of hygiene if they don't want them.

We have lots of street people who usually come in fairly odorous, and they usually refuse any sort of cleanup .... guess they figure they just have to start all over again anyway.

Of course if there is a health issue with the lack of hygeine (open wounds etc. ) one may have to take a different approach.

In lots of cultural settings smells and odors are percieved differently. I am sure you tried your hardest, don't feel a failure, what did you fail at?? Not getting someone into a shower??!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC, Rehab, Hospice, Endocrine.
Try Vicks Vaporub under your nose, the pt can't see it so he won't be embarrassed and you won't smell him, at least not as bad, and then you can do your job without wanting to pass out!

Everytime I have tried Vicks, it makes it worse for me...the Vicks opens my nasal passages and I can smell everything even worse!

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Specializes in Oncology, Cardiology, ER, L/D.
Everytime I have tried Vicks, it makes it worse for me...the Vicks opens my nasal passages and I can smell everything even worse!

You know, that is a good point. I usually just smell the Vicks, but I can see that happening with the nasal passages.:)

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Don't feel bad!! Silly! If the guy stinks, he stinks! There isn't a soul who wouldn't :no: . Just see how little time the docs spend with the guy! Anyhoo, those other nurses were snickering because you were trying so very hard that's all, I am sure they thought you were cute, and meant no harm. :wink2:

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The patient might be using poor hygiene to keep staff away. Hope he does not have a poor room mate.

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what type of facility are you in??

once in a ltc we had this guy and the first thing out of his mouth, about anything was I KNOW MY RIGHTS

the only way we could get him to bath/shampoo was to bribe him with cigarettes or a treat out of the snack machines

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

Do you guys have face masks? I use ones when I have to work with mice (I'm not a nurse, yet). I don't know if they get rid of all odors, but they get rid of some of them.

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That's why I LOVE when stinky people end up intubated!! That way we can scrub 'em down and lower the stench level so we can deal with 'em!!!!!!!

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