Effectiveness of Menthol Ice Cube Application on Thirst Intensity and Oral Condition among Postoperative Patients

Abstract

Thirst and dry mouth are frequent immediate post-operative discomfort due to prolonged fasting, medications and surgical conditions. Surgical patients are at a high-hazard group for the improvement of thirst due to prolonged fasting, use of anticholinergic and opioid medications, bleeding, among others. Thirst is an exceptional and awkward sensation, which can’t be overlooked when water deprivation compromises endurance. It is one of the fundamental inconveniences in the prompt postoperative period or the post-anaesthesia recovery. Menthol and ice have greater efficacy to relieve the thirst. Hence the study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of menthol ice cube application on thirst intensity and oral condition among post-operative patients. The pre-experimental research design was adopted to conduct the study with 30 samples who met inclusion criteria were selected by using a convenience sampling technique. Pre-test assessment was done by thirst intensity scale and oral condition assessment tool. Menthol ice cube was administered to the study group. The post-test assessment was observed after one hour and two hours of administration of the menthol ice cube application. There was a statistical significant change in thirst intensity and oral conditions between pre and post intervention within the study group and the level of thirst intensity were statistically associated with age group at the level of P<0.05. The findings of the study concluded that menthol ice cube application is effective in relieving thirst intensity and improve the oral conditions among patients underwent abdominal surgery. It is also a safe, harmless, cost effective, and feasible is feasible to administer.