How can nursing assistants prevent aspiration when providing oral care to unconscious patients? Check all that apply.Make sure the patient is not wearing dentures.Position the patient on his or her side.Place a breathing tube in the patient’s throat.Remove a patient’s IV.Use a small amount of fluid when cleaning a patient’s mouth.
Answer
A
Make sure the patient is not wearing dentures.
B
Position the patient on his or her side.
C
Place a breathing tube in the patient’s throat.
D
Remove a patient’s IV.
E
Use a small amount of fluid when cleaning a patient’s mouth.
Explanation
Remove dentures so they cannot become loose and obstruct the airway, and position the unconscious patient on their side so fluid can drain out of the mouth rather than toward the airway. Use only a small amount of fluid while cleaning to reduce the amount that could be aspirated. Placing a breathing tube is not a nursing assistant’s role, and removing an IV does not prevent aspiration.
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