The nurse develops a plan of care to prevent aspiration in a high-risk patient.Which nursing action will be most effective?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The risk for aspiration is decreased when patients with a decreased level of consciousness are placed in a side-lying or upright position.Frequent turning prevents pooling of secretions in immobilized patients but will not decrease the risk for aspiration in patients at risk.Monitoring of parameters such as breath sounds and oxygen saturation will help detect pneumonia in immunocompromised patients,but it will not decrease the risk for aspiration.Conditions that increase the risk of aspiration include decreased level of consciousness (e.g.,seizure,anesthesia,head injury,stroke,alcohol intake),difficulty swallowing,and nasogastric intubation with or without tube feeding.With loss of consciousness,the gag and cough reflexes are depressed,and aspiration is more likely to occur.Other high-risk groups are those who are seriously ill,have poor dentition,or are receiving acid-reducing medications.

The Nurse Develops a Plan of Care to Prevent Aspiration