American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Multicenter Study
Effect of a Scheduled Nurse Intervention on Thirst and Dry Mouth in Intensive Care Patients.
Thirst is a common, intense symptom reported by hospitalized patients. No studies indicate frequency of use of ice water and lip moisturizer with menthol to ameliorate thirst and dry mouth. In an audit of 30 intensive care unit patients at a 580-bed community teaching hospital, 66% reported dry mouth with higher thirst distress and intensity scores than in published studies. ⋯ Scheduled use of ice water oral swabs and lip moisturizer with menthol may lessen thirst intensity and dry mouth in critical care patients.