A nurse in a long-term care facility is taking care of a patient who is unresponsive. What action should the nurse take when performing oral hygiene for the patient?
Turn the patient on their side before starting oral care.
Apply petroleum jelly to the patient’s lips after oral care.
Use the thumb and index finger to keep the patient’s mouth open.
Use a stiff toothbrush to clean the patient’s teeth.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Turning the patient on their side before starting oral care is a recommended practice when caring for an unresponsive patient. This position helps prevent aspiration, which can occur if the patient cannot swallow properly.
Choice B rationale
Applying petroleum jelly to the patient’s lips after oral care can help prevent dryness and cracking. However, it’s not the primary action the nurse should take when performing oral hygiene for an unresponsive patient.
Choice C rationale
Using the thumb and index finger to keep the patient’s mouth open is not recommended. It can cause discomfort and potential injury to the patient.
Choice D rationale
Using a stiff toothbrush to clean the patient’s teeth is not recommended. A soft toothbrush is usually used to clean the teeth of an unresponsive patient to prevent damage to the gums.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While manifestations of hypoglycemia are important to monitor in clients receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, they are not typically a primary concern in clients receiving TPN. TPN solutions contain dextrose, which can actually lead to hyperglycemia if not properly managed.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring the IV insertion site is crucial in clients receiving TPN. Infections and complications can occur at the site of insertion, so regular assessment is necessary. Therefore, Choice B is the correct answer.
Choice C rationale
The client’s oral intake is not a primary concern when receiving TPN, as TPN provides complete nutrition intravenously.
Choice D rationale
The height of the IV pole does not need to be monitored in clients receiving TPN. The infusion pump controls the rate of the TPN infusion.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The nurse should wait for 30 minutes and then measure the client’s oral temperature. Consuming cold substances like ice chips can temporarily lower the oral temperature, leading to inaccurate readings. Therefore, it’s recommended to wait for a period of time to allow the oral temperature to return to its normal state.
Choice B rationale
Proceeding to measure the client’s oral temperature immediately after consuming ice chips would likely result in an inaccurately low reading. The cold from the ice chips can temporarily lower the temperature in the mouth.
Choice C rationale
Documenting the inability to obtain an accurate reading of the client’s oral temperature is not the best action in this situation. While it’s important to document any factors that might affect the accuracy of a temperature reading, in this case, the nurse can simply wait a period of time after the client has consumed the ice chips before taking the oral temperature.
Choice D rationale
Providing the client a sip of warm water and waiting 5 minutes before measuring his oral temperature may not be sufficient to ensure an accurate temperature reading. The mouth needs adequate time to return to its normal temperature after consuming something cold.
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