In providing oral care to an unconscious patient,what is an important action by the nurse?

A) Moistening the patient's mouth with lemon-glycerin sponges.
B) Holding the patient's mouth open with his or her fingers.
C) Rinsing the patient's mouth and immediately suctioning the oral cavity.
D) Using foam swabs to help remove plaque.

When providing oral hygiene care to an unconscious patient,the nurse needs to protect him or her from choking and aspiration.Two nurses should provide care: One nurse does the actual cleaning,and the other removes secretions with suction equipment.The nurse can delegate some tasks to unregulated care providers.Some agencies use equipment that combines a mouth swab with the suction device.This device can be used safely by one nurse to provide oral care.Commercially made foam swabs are ineffective in removing plaque.Lemon-glycerin sponges should not be used because they dry mucous membranes and erode tooth enamel.While cleansing the oral cavity,the nurse should use a small oral airway or a padded tongue blade to hold the patient's mouth open.The nurse should never use his or her own fingers to hold the patient's mouth open.A human bite contains multiple pathogenic microorganisms.