In Mouth Care for a Comatose Resident, what position should the resident be placed in to prevent aspiration?

In Mouth Care for a Comatose Resident, what position should the resident be placed in to prevent aspiration?

• A. Supine with head elevated
• B. Semi-Fowler's position with head turned to the side
• C. Prone
• D. Trendelenburg

Answer: (B)

The main idea is protecting the airway during mouth care for someone who is comatose. Because gag and swallow reflexes are often diminished, saliva and secretions can be aspirated if the head is not positioned to keep them away from the airway. Placing the resident in a semi-Fowler’s position—raising the head of the bed to about 30 to 45 degrees—helps keep secretions from pooling in the throat. Turning the head to the side provides a drainage path so fluids don’t run backward toward the trachea during brushing or wiping. This combination makes it safer to perform oral care and reduces the risk of aspiration. Lying flat with the head elevated offers less protection against fluids reaching the airway, turning the head straight down (prone) makes access and airway management during mouth care more difficult and can obstruct breathing, and tilting the bed to Trendelenburg increases the chance of reflux and aspiration and is not appropriate for routine mouth care.

The main idea is protecting the airway during mouth care for someone who is comatose. Because gag and swallow reflexes are often diminished, saliva and secretions can be aspirated if the head is not positioned to keep them away from the airway. Placing the resident in a semi-Fowler’s position—raising the head of the bed to about 30 to 45 degrees—helps keep secretions from pooling in the throat. Turning the head to the side provides a drainage path so fluids don’t run backward toward the trachea during brushing or wiping. This combination makes it safer to perform oral care and reduces the risk of aspiration.

Lying flat with the head elevated offers less protection against fluids reaching the airway, turning the head straight down (prone) makes access and airway management during mouth care more difficult and can obstruct breathing, and tilting the bed to Trendelenburg increases the chance of reflux and aspiration and is not appropriate for routine mouth care.