How do u clean dry nose blood under an oxygen-masked patient?

My friend has esophageal cancer & pneumonia and has to wear an oxygen mask which dries his tongue and the blood in one nostril. He is in a local ICU, and one nurse told me "dry tongue is normal for oxygen mask patients." Yes, if he keeps his mouth open which he has to do in order to breathe through one nostril.

this nurse already knows how to clean the mask....shame on her for leaving it like that.....she should at least offer a new one or a second while the first is being cleaned......its not like it is coming outta her paycheck....

multi ways of cleaning it....
just running it under warm water and a towel...
or....peroxide and water will bubble some of the dry stuff quicker...
or rubbing alcohol will clean......

quickest and less friction from the nurse would be runn it under water at the sink, dry it quick and put it back on him.

i used to workin ENT surgery.......tough diagnosis.....hpe your friend does ok with surgery.........

has the staff offered him the swabbs for moistening his mouth......ask for them....they are pink sponges that he can dip in water of a glass to not drink but comfort his mouth...........if the staff gives you any ****, ask to speak to the charge nurse or manager of floor.......they should be about customer satisfation and patient comfort...

good luck!

Saline gel sold at the drug store.

Okay, this 'solution' just popped into my mind out of nowhere. I think it's quite funny but practical. Anyway, check out the following.

1. Get a swab (for the ear or whatever as long as there's cotton stuck on the end of a stick).

2. Wet it with some water and slip that moist swab into one of the holes on the front of the oxygen mask.

3. Dislodge the dry blood and clean the bloodied crusts (?) with another clean dry swab.

The whole thing is laughable, I know, but you gotta admit it's totally practical *hehe*

Anyway, I hope my answer helped c",)

P/s: Keep me updated if it's not too much trouble to you and send my regards and get well soon to your friend! Thanks

the mask should be replaced,the o2 should be humidified,does it have a bottle of sterile water attached?this helps prevent dry mucous membranes.never clean with anything but sterile h2o,remember your friend is breathing this in,besides it's not your job to clean it,tell that nurse to get up and replace it or clean it

Well...I am embarassed that a fellow nurse gave such as dumb answer...yes O2 does dry out the mucous membranes but if she were a good nurse she would make sure that your friend is given good frequent mouth care using glyserine swabs (they have moisture with a lemon flavor) to swab his mouth and also using a Q-tip with some vaseline or some type of bacitracin around the nose and gently clean the blood away...this is basic comfort nursing measures...and you must demand that they do something for your friend...thank you for being an advocate...