Final answer:
A resident who is NOP cannot have a clear liquid diet or eat ice cream, but can have (a) mouth rinses and possibly
(b) ice chips unless otherwise directed by a physician.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the care a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides to a resident who is NOP. NOP stands for 'Nothing by mouth,' which is a medical instruction meaning the patient should not consume any food, liquids, or oral medications.
This is usually done to ensure the stomach and intestiles are empty for certain medical tests or procedures, or to prevent aspiration in patients who have difficulty swallowing.
In the context of this question, the CNA should understand that a resident who is NOP may not have:
- mouth rinses - They can be allowed if the patient does not swallow any liquid.
- ice chips - These are also generally allowed since they provide moisture and comfort, and they melt to such a small amount of liquid that the risk of affecting the medical condition or procedure is minimal.
- clear liquid diet - This is not allowed while the patient is under NOP orders unless specified otherwise by a physician.
- ice cream - This is not allowed as it does not comply with NOP restrictions.
Therefore, the answer to the student's question is that the CNA understands the resident may have mouth rinses and possibly ice chips, but definitely no clear liquids or ice cream.