Final answer:
To safely perform mouth care for an unresponsive patient, the nurse should elevate the head of the bed, ensure both side rails are up, raise the bed to a comfortable working height, and avoid performing a finger sweep during oral inspection.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse is preparing to perform mouth care for an unresponsive patient, they should take several precautions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the care. First, it is important not to place the patient supine (flat on their back) as this could increase the risk of aspiration. Instead, the nurse should position the patient with the head of the bed raised to help prevent aspiration.
For safety, it is also essential to keep both side rails up while the patient is being attended to. This precaution helps prevent the patient from falling out of the bed if they were to suddenly become responsive or move unexpectedly. Raising the level of the bed can help the nurse maintain proper posture and ergonomics while providing care, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
Lastly, when inspecting the patient's mouth, the nurse should avoid using a finger sweep, which could accidentally push debris further back into the throat. Instead, the nurse should use a light source and a tongue depressor as necessary to gently inspect the mouth.