A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for a client who is unresponsive. When performing oral hygiene for the client, which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Turn the client on his side before starting oral care.
Use a stiff toothbrush to clean the client's teeth.
Apply petroleum jelly to the client's lips after oral care.
Use the thumb and index finger to keep the client's mouth open.
The Correct Answer is A
A. This is a crucial step to prevent aspiration (the inhalation of oral contents into the lungs). Turning the client on their side helps to facilitate drainage and prevents oral fluids and debris from entering the airway during oral care.
B. Using a stiff toothbrush can be harmful to the gums and oral tissues, especially for clients who are unresponsive and may not be able to indicate discomfort. A soft-bristled toothbrush or moistened gauze is recommended for cleaning the teeth and gums to prevent injury and maintain oral hygiene effectively.
C. Applying petroleum jelly or a similar barrier ointment helps to moisturize and protect the lips from dryness and cracking, which can be common in clients who are unresponsive and may not be able to moisten their lips independently.
D. Using the thumb and index finger to keep the client's mouth open is gentle and effective. This technique allows the nurse to visualize and clean the oral cavity adequately without causing discomfort or injury to the client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Contact precautions primarily focus on preventing direct transmission of pathogens through physical contact. Therefore, wearing a mask is not typically required unless the client is also suspected or known to have respiratory infections that require airborne precautions. The standard precautions include wearing gloves and a gown when entering the client's room.
B. This is a key principle of contact precautions. The nurse should ensure that equipment (such as blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes) and supplies (like thermometers) used for the client are dedicated solely to that client and are not shared with other clients. This helps prevent the spread of pathogens to other clients or areas of the healthcare facility.
C. Contact precautions involve limiting the client's movement outside of their room to essential purposes only. Allowing the client to leave the room frequently increases the risk of spreading infectious agents to other areas of the healthcare facility and to other individuals.
D. Potted plants can harbor soil that may contain microorganisms. Contact precautions focus on preventing direct transmission through physical contact, and while soil is not typically a medium for transmission of common healthcare-associated pathogens, removing plants helps maintain cleanliness and reduces potential reservoirs for contamination.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. In fluid volume deficit, there is hemoconcentration due to decreased fluid volume, resulting in an increase in hematocrit rather than a decrease. Therefore, a decreased hematocrit would not be an expected finding in fluid volume deficit.
B. Urine ketones are typically elevated in conditions where there is increased fat metabolism, such as in diabetic ketoacidosis or starvation. They are not directly related to fluid volume deficit and would not be an expected finding.
C. Urine specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in the urine, indicating the kidney's ability to concentrate or dilute urine. In fluid volume deficit, the body conserves water, leading to increased urine concentration and higher urine specific gravity. Therefore, increased urine specific gravity is an expected finding in fluid volume deficit.
D. BUN is a measure of kidney function and protein metabolism. In fluid volume deficit, there is hemoconcentration due to decreased fluid volume, which can lead to an increase in BUN rather than a decrease. A decreased BUN would not typically be an expected finding in fluid volume deficit.
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