The nursing assistant administering oral care to an unconscious client detects an unusual smell and determines the client's breath has a fruity odor. What is the appropriate action for the nursing assistant to take?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nursing assistant should report the fruity odor to the nurse right away. Examining the mouth using a penlight will not reveal any cause since acetone or fruity breath is because the client has high ketones in their blood from diabetes or the client has severe renal disease causing the odor. Oral hygiene will not take away the odor of the breath. The nursing assistant has to rely on nursing orders that arise from physician orders and cannot take a fingerstick without instruction to do so.

The Nursing Assistant Administering Oral Care to an Unconscious Client