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 B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While it is important to ensure that restraints are not too tight, the issue in this scenario is not related to the tightness of the restraints.
Choice B rationale
Restraints should be tied with a slipknot to allow for quick release if necessary. A double knot may be difficult to untie quickly in an emergency.
Choice C rationale
Restraint straps should not be tied to the side rails. If the side rails are lowered, the restraints could become too loose.
Choice D rationale
The padding under the wrist restraints should not be removed. The padding helps to prevent skin damage and increase the comfort of the patient.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, crackles in the lungs can be a sign of various conditions, not just bacterial infections. Therefore, administering antibiotics is not the appropriate action based solely on the finding of crackles.
Choice B rationale
Limiting fluid intake can be beneficial for clients with certain conditions such as heart failure, but it is not the appropriate action based solely on the finding of crackles.
Choice C rationale
Initiating bedrest in semi-Fowler’s position can help improve lung expansion and ease breathing in clients with certain respiratory conditions. However, it is not the appropriate action based solely on the finding of crackles.
Choice D rationale
Crackles can sometimes be cleared by deep breathing and coughing. Repeating the auscultation after asking the client to breathe deeply and cough can help the nurse determine if the crackles are transient (cleared by coughing) or persistent.
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