A nurse observes an assistive personnel (AP) perform mouth care for a client who is unconscious. Which of the following actions by the AP requires intervention by the nurse?
Using an oral care sponge swab moistened with cool water to clean the client's mouth.
Wearing clean gloves to perform mouth care for the client.
Lowering the side rail on the side of the bed where they will stand to perform mouth care.
Using two gloved fingers to open the client's mouth for cleaning.
None
None
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is d. Using two gloved fingers to open the client’s mouth for cleaning. This action is unsafe as it risks injury to both the AP and the client. A padded tongue blade should be used instead.
Choice A reason:
Using an oral care sponge swab moistened with cool water to clean the client’s mouth is appropriate. Oral care sponge swabs are designed to clean the mouth gently and effectively, especially for unconscious patients.
Choice B reason:
Wearing clean gloves to perform mouth care for the client is a standard precaution to prevent infection. Gloves protect both the caregiver and the patient from potential infections.
Choice C reason:
Lowering the side rail on the side of the bed where they will stand to perform mouth care is necessary to safely access the patient. It allows the AP to perform the task without straining or risking injury.
Choice D reason:
Using two gloved fingers to open the client’s mouth for cleaning is unsafe. This method can cause injury to the AP if the patient bites down reflexively. A padded tongue blade should be used to safely open the mouth.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the correct answer because greenish-yellow drainage is a normal color for gastric secretions and does not indicate a problem.
Choice B reason: This is not the correct answer because a report of hunger is common for a client with an NG tube and does not require intervention.
Choice C reason: This is the correct answer because gastric contents in the air vent mean that the NG tube is clogged or kinked and needs to be flushed or replaced. This is the correct answer because it indicates that the NG tube is not functioning properly and could cause aspiration or infection. The other findings are expected or normal for a client with an NG tube.
Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer because abdominal distention is a common reason for placing an NG tube and should improve with gastric decompression.

Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the correct answer because the FLACC scale is designed for infants and children who are unable to verbalize their pain, not for adults who speak a different language.
Choice B reason: This is not the correct answer because asking an assistive personnel to interpret is not a reliable or ethical way of communicating with the client. The nurse should use a professional interpreter or a certified bilingual staff member.
Choice C reason: This is the correct answer because a communication board is a simple and effective way of assessing the client's pain level and location.
Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer because the FACES pain scale is based on facial expressions that may vary across cultures and languages. The client may not understand or relate to the pictures on the scale.
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