Question

For which patient does the nurse make assessment of the oral mucous membrane a priority?

Answer 1

Answer:

Possible options:

a. The patient who has an arteriovenous (AV) fistula

b. The patient who has a gastrostomy tube

c. The patient who uses a Ventimask

d. The patient who has a colostomy

Answer is B

Explanation:

For a patient with a Gastrostomy Tube, it may indicate that skin membrane around the G tube and the oral mucous membranes for moisture since he is unable to take fluids orally.

Answer 2

Answer:

The options are given below:

a. The patient who has an arteriovenous (AV) fistula

b. The patient who has a gastrostomy tube

c. The patient who uses a Ventimask

d. The patient who has a colostomy

The correct option is B

Explanation:

A gastrostomy tube, also called a  G-tube is a tube that is inserted through the abdomen and delivers nutrition directly to the stomach.

For a patient who has had to use the gastrostomy tube for a long time, the intraoral conditions will experience an alteration. The prolonged absence of food passage through the mouth will result in an absence of mechanical clearance within the mouth and will reduce saliva secretion.

The absence of saliva secretion will result in the mucosal surfaces drying out, and dried sputum will adhere to the palate. These ecological changes should affect the bacterial population of the indigenous microbiota.

Therefore, the oral cavity will be conducive for the growth of harmful bacteria, hence, assessments will need to be carried out in order to detect the presence of these harmful organisms and eliminate them in a timely manner.