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
Full-thickness tissue loss extending to underlying support structures such as muscle, tendon, or bone is characteristic of a stage 4 pressure ulcer, not a stage 312.
Choice B rationale
A stage 3 pressure ulcer involves full-thickness skin loss and may appear as a deep crater. There may be damage to or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue that may extend down to, but not through, underlying fascia. This description matches the statement in Choice B, making it the correct answer.
Choice C rationale
A shallow, ruptured or intact skin blister without slough is more indicative of a stage 2 pressure ulcer. In a stage 2 pressure ulcer, there is partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red-pink wound bed.
Choice D rationale
Unbroken skin with un-blancheable erythema is characteristic of a stage 1 pressure ulcer, not a stage 3. In a stage 1 pressure ulcer, the skin is not broken, but it has redness that does not lighten (or blanch) when you press on it.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Antimicrobial dressings are typically used for wounds that are infected or at high risk of infection. A stage I pressure ulcer, which involves intact skin with non-blanchable redness, would not typically require an antimicrobial dressing.
Choice B rationale
Wet-to-dry dressings are used for mechanical debridement of wounds with necrotic tissue. A stage I pressure ulcer does not involve necrotic tissue, so this type of dressing would not be appropriate.
Choice C rationale
Transparent dressings are often used for stage I pressure ulcers. They provide a protective layer over the wound, promoting a moist environment and facilitating the healing process.
Choice D rationale
Dry, sterile dressings are typically used for wounds that need to be kept dry. A stage I pressure ulcer benefits from a moist healing environment, which can be provided by a transparent dressing.
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