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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Pursed-lip breathing can help improve oxygenation and reduce shortness of breath in clients with COPD. However, it is not the priority action when a client reports difficulty breathing.
Choice B rationale
Increasing the oxygen flow rate without a physician’s order can lead to oxygen toxicity or suppress the respiratory drive in clients with COPD. Therefore, this is not the priority action.
Choice C rationale
Coughing and expectorating secretions can help clear the airways, but it is not the priority action when a client reports difficulty breathing.
Choice D rationale
Evaluating the client’s respiratory status is the priority action. The nurse should assess the client’s breath sounds, respiratory rate, use of accessory muscles, and oxygen saturation to determine the severity of the client’s difficulty breathing and guide further interventions.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Checking that the client’s restraints are secured with a half-bow knot is a good practice. This type of knot is secure but can be easily untied, which is important for quick removal of the restraints if necessary.
Choice B rationale
Requesting that the provider prescribe the restraints as PRN is not a good practice. Restraints should only be used as a last resort and must be ordered by a healthcare provider. The order must specify the reason for the restraints and the duration of use.
Choice C rationale
Ensuring that the client’s wrists are padded is a good practice. Padding helps to prevent skin breakdown and nerve damage.
Choice D rationale
Loosening the restraints once every 4 hours is not a good practice. Restraints should be removed or loosened every 2 hours to allow for skin care and assessment, range of motion exercises, and to check for signs of injury.
Choice E rationale
Documenting client care every 15 minutes is a good practice. This includes documenting the client’s behavior, the type and location of restraints, the frequency of care (at least every 2 hours), and the client’s response to the restraints.
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