A nurse is providing oral care for a client who is immobile. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Use a stiff toothbrush to clean the client's teeth.
Turn the client on his side before starting oral care.
Use the thumb and index finger to keep the client's mouth open.
Apply petroleum jelly to the client's lips after oral care.
The Correct Answer is B
A - Using a stiff toothbrush is not appropriate for oral care in immobile clients, as it can irritate or damage the gums and oral tissues. A soft-bristled toothbrush is recommended to ensure gentle cleaning.
B - Turning the client on his side is the correct action to prevent aspiration. This position allows fluids and saliva to drain from the mouth, reducing the risk of aspiration, which is critical for immobile clients.
C - Using the thumb and index finger to keep the client’s mouth open can lead to accidental injury. Instead, a padded tongue blade should be used to maintain the client’s mouth open safely during oral care.
D - Applying petroleum jelly to the lips should be avoided, as it is oil-based and can increase the risk of aspiration if inhaled. A water-based lubricant or lip balm should be used instead.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
A. Keeping the client's bed in the lowest position helps minimize the potential fall distance if the client attempts to get out of bed.
B. Assessing the client every 4 hours is a good practice for general monitoring but may not be specific to fall prevention. More frequent assessments may be necessary for a client at high risk for falls.
C. Keeping the client's room dark at night can actually increase the risk of falls. It's important to ensure there is adequate lighting to help the client navigate safely.
D. Teaching the client to use the call light allows them to request assistance when needed, reducing the likelihood of attempting to move or get out of bed independently.
E. Placing a fall-risk identification band on the client's wrist helps alert all healthcare providers that the client is at risk for falls. This information is crucial for ensuring appropriate precautions are taken.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. He is hard of hearing:
This is unlikely. While hearing impairment could explain some difficulty in communication, it would not explain the flinching upon abdominal palpation or the wandering behavior. Hearing-impaired clients typically respond to nonverbal cues or attempt to communicate their understanding in other ways.
B. Confusion:
This is correct. The client's wandering behavior, lack of verbal response, and smiling/nodding without clear understanding are indicative of confusion, which is common in older adults experiencing delirium, dementia, or other cognitive impairments. The flinching during abdominal palpation suggests a physical issue, but the client's inability to articulate his discomfort further supports confusion as a contributing factor.
C. Pain:
While pain could explain the flinching during palpation, it does not account for the wandering behavior or the lack of meaningful verbal communication. Pain may coexist with confusion but is not the primary explanation for his overall behavior.
D. Language barrier:
A language barrier could explain difficulty in verbal communication, but it does not account for the wandering behavior or the flinching upon palpation. Additionally, the family’s ability to communicate with the healthcare team suggests this is not the most likely factor
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