A nurse is providing oral care to a client with dentures. What action would the nurse do first?
A.
Wash the client’s face.
B.
Remove dentures.
C.
Apply lubricant.
D.
Don gloves.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Don gloves.
When providing oral care to a client with dentures, the nurse must follow a series of steps to ensure the client’s safety and hygiene. The first action is to don gloves. This step is essential because it protects both the nurse and the client from potential contamination or transmission of infectious agents. Oral care involves contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, which can carry bacteria and pathogens. By wearing gloves, the nurse adheres to standard precautions, which are fundamental in preventing the spread of infection.
After donning gloves, the nurse would proceed with the next steps, such as removing the client’s dentures (option B) and performing oral hygiene care. Handling dentures without gloves could expose the nurse to germs or microorganisms, increasing the risk of infection. Additionally, the oral cavity can harbor bacteria, especially if the client has an oral condition like stomatitis or if oral hygiene has not been regularly maintained.
Washing the client’s face (option A) is an important aspect of overall hygiene, but it is not the first priority in oral care. Applying lubricant (option C) may be necessary for clients with dry lips or skin around the mouth, but this step is secondary to infection control measures such as donning gloves and removing dentures.
Oral care for clients with dentures includes removing and cleaning the dentures properly, inspecting the mouth for any abnormalities, and ensuring the dentures are cleaned and stored appropriately. However, these actions should always be performed while maintaining infection control standards. Failing to wear gloves puts both the client and the healthcare worker at risk for cross-contamination. Therefore, the nurse’s first responsibility is to don gloves before beginning any aspect of the oral care procedure.