Nursing care for patients--oral care in unconscious patients

							Mouth care for the unconscious patient

Mouth care is especially important for an unconscious patient.
Special precautions need to be taken.
If possible, position the patient on his or her side, near
the edge of the bed.
Wash your hands.
Put a little basin under the patient's chin with a towel
under it to catch any water that drips.
Open the patient's mouth very gently with a tongue blade
or other object, such as a spoon.
Clean the teeth and membranes, then rinse the mouth by
injecting a little water into the mouth with a syringe. Or
use a moistened swab or cloth to rinse the mouth.
If you inject water into the patient's mouth, make sure
that it all runs out of the side of the mouth or suction the
mouth to get it out. Fluid left in the mouth could choke
the patient. It could be breathed into the lungs and cause
pneumonia.
After cleaning the patient's mouth, wash your hands.