Question

A patient is in a postanesthesia care unit. How does the nurse assess whether the patient has a normal gag reflex?

A. Observing the patient's response to verbal stimuli.
B. Checking the patient's ability to swallow liquids.
C. Assessing the patient's ability to speak clearly.
D. Eliciting the gag reflex by gently stimulating the back of the throat.

Answer 1

The nurse can assess a patient's gag reflex by stimulating the back of the throat and observing the response. Checking the patient's ability to swallow liquids can also help determine the function of the gag reflex.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse can assess whether a patient has a normal gag reflex by eliciting the gag reflex by gently stimulating the back of the throat. This is done by moving a tongue depressor to contact the lateral wall of the fauces, which should elicit the gag reflex. Stimulation of either side of the fauces should elicit an equivalent response.

Additionally, the nurse can also assess the patient's ability to swallow liquids to determine if the gag reflex is intact. Checking the patient's ability to swallow liquids can help determine if the muscles involved in swallowing are functioning properly.