A nurse is obtaining a client’s manual blood pressure and is having difficulty auscultating sounds.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

This is because humidification can help moisten the oral mucosa and reduce the discomfort of xerostomia. Xerostomia is a condition of dry mouth caused by reduced or absent saliva flow, which can occur after radiation therapy to the head and neck area.
Choice A is wrong because rinsing the mouth with an alcohol-based mouthwash can irritate the oral tissues and worsen xerostomia. Alcohol can also dehydrate the mouth and reduce saliva production.
Choice B is wrong because esophageal speech is a method of voice restoration after laryngectomy, not a treatment for xerostomia.
Esophageal speech involves swallowing air into the esophagus and releasing it to create sound.
It has nothing to do with saliva flow or dry mouth.
Choice C is wrong because saltine crackers are dry and hard to swallow without adequate saliva.
They can also scratch the oral mucosa and cause pain or bleeding. Offering the client saltine crackers between meals can aggravate xerostomia and increase the risk of choking.
Normal ranges for saliva flow vary depending on the method of measurement, but generally, a stimulated saliva flow rate of less than 0.7 mL/min or an unstimulated saliva flow rate of less than 0.1 mL/min is considered indicative of xerostomia.

The correct answer is choice A. Applying warm compresses to the incision site is anticipated for the client, as it can help reduce swelling and pain.

The other choices are contraindicated for the following reasons:

• Choice B: Maintaining bed rest for 2 days postoperatively is contraindicated, as it can increase the risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia. The client should be encouraged to ambulate as soon as possible after surgery.
• Choice C: Irrigating indwelling urinary catheter with 50 mL of normal saline is contraindicated, as it can introduce bacteria into the bladder and cause infection. The catheter should be kept patent and draining without irrigation unless there is a specific order from the provider.
• Choice D: Administering enema to relieve constipation is contraindicated, as it can increase the pressure in the pelvic area and cause bleeding or damage to the surgical site. The client should be given stool softeners and laxatives to prevent constipation.
• Choice E: Placing a blanket roll under the client’s knees while in bed is contraindicated, as it can impair blood circulation and cause thrombophlebitis. The client should avoid flexing the knees excessively and elevate the legs slightly when lying down.