Conscious Oral Care

Summary

This video demonstrates the process of conscious oral care, focusing on steps such as washing hands, setting up the workspace, and assisting a patient with oral hygiene. The procedure involves brushing teeth with a front-to-back motion, flossing between teeth, offering water and mouthwash for rinsing, and applying lip balm if appropriate. Special attention is given to safety, such as avoiding petroleum-based lip balms for oxygen-dependent patients. The video concludes with cleaning up supplies, removing gloves, and ensuring the patient's comfort and safety, including repositioning the bed and providing a call light for assistance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Proper supplies for conscious oral care include a waterproof barrier, towel, mouthwash, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, lip balm, and emesis basin.
• 😀 Always wash hands and apply gloves before beginning the procedure to maintain hygiene.
• 😀 Position the bed at a 90° angle and ensure it's at a comfortable working level for the caregiver.
• 😀 Use a towel as a barrier to protect the patient's chest during the oral care procedure.
• 😀 Start by giving the patient a small sip of water to moisten the mouth before brushing their teeth.
• 😀 Brush teeth using a front-to-back motion for the outside surfaces, a circular motion for the chewing surfaces, and an up-and-down motion for the inside of the teeth and tongue.
• 😀 Offer the patient an emesis basin for spitting out extra toothpaste and rinse with water.
• 😀 Floss the patient's teeth using approximately 18 inches of dental floss, moving between each pair of teeth.
• 😀 Offer water to rinse after flossing, then provide mouthwash diluted with water for a 30-second rinse.
• 😀 Use a towel to gently dry the patient's face after mouthwash, and apply lip balm (unless the patient is on oxygen).
• 😀 Remove all supplies, place the towel in the laundry hamper, and return the bed to a safe and low position.
• 😀 Ensure the patient has access to their call light before finishing the procedure and cleaning up.

Q & A

What supplies are needed for the oral care procedure?

The supplies needed are a waterproof barrier for the work surface, a towel, mouthwash, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, lip balm, a cup with water, a cup for the mouthwash solution, and an emesis basin.

Why is it important to wash hands and wear gloves before performing the procedure?

Washing hands and wearing gloves are essential for infection control to ensure both the patient's and the caregiver's safety during the procedure.

What is the correct position for the bed before starting the oral care procedure?

The bed should be raised to a 90° angle and adjusted to a comfortable working level for the caregiver.

What motion should be used when brushing the teeth?

A front-to-back motion is used to clean the outside surfaces of the teeth, while an up-and-down motion is used to clean the front of the teeth.

What is the purpose of the emesis basin in the procedure?

The emesis basin is provided for the patient to spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing their teeth.

How long should the patient rinse with mouthwash solution?

The patient should rinse with the mouthwash solution for approximately 30 seconds.

Why is dental floss used in the oral care procedure?

Dental floss is used to clean between the teeth, ensuring that plaque and food particles are removed from areas that the toothbrush cannot reach.

What should be done if the patient is on oxygen during oral care?

If the patient is on oxygen, petroleum-based lip balms should not be used because oxygen is combustible. Non-petroleum-based alternatives should be used instead.

What should be done after completing the oral care procedure?

After completing the oral care procedure, the caregiver should clean up the supplies, remove gloves, wash hands, and report and record the procedure.

What steps are taken to ensure the patient's comfort after oral care is completed?

The caregiver ensures the patient's comfort by lowering the bed to a 30° angle, securing the side rails, positioning the bed in the low position, and making sure the call light is within reach.