Objective:To compare the efficacy of two different oral moistening methods in alleviating thirst among patients in the Intensive Care Unit(ICU).Methods:Sixty patients admitted to ICU of Anqing Municipal Hospital from January 2021 to March 2022 were randomly assigned into two groups:experimental group and control group(30 patients in each group).The experimental group received oral spray with ice water using a nasal spray bottle,while the control group underwent oral application of ice water using a cotton swab.Both groups received lip moisturization with vaseline gauze.Thirst levels were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS)before and after intervention,while oral mucosal moisture was evaluated using a scoring table for lips,tongue,and oral mucosa.Differences in NRS thirst scores and lip,tongue,and oral mucosal moisture scores between the two groups were compared.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in NRS thirst scores and lip,tongue,and oral mucosal moisture scores between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05).After intervention,both groups showed a decrease in NRS thirst scores,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Intra-group comparison revealed a statistically significant decrease in NRS thirst scores for the experimental group from 7.76±1.24 to 4.55±1.21 and for the control group from 7.44±1.15 to 5.56±1.19(both P<0.05).Comparison of lip,tongue,and oral mucosal moisture scores after intervention showed statistically significant differences between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combination of nasal spray with ice water and lip moisturization using vaseline gauze is more effective in alleviating thirst symptoms in critically ill patients compared to using a cotton swab dipped in ice water along with lip moisturization using vaseline gauze,suggesting its potential for clinical application.
thirstnumeric rating scaleintensive care unitoral moistening method
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