A client who is unconscious needs frequent mouth care. When performing mouth care, best position of a client is:

Correct Answer: B. Side-lying

An unconscious client is best placed on his side when doing oral care to prevent aspiration. An unconscious patient is placed in the side-lying position when mouth care is provided because this position prevents pooling of secretions at the back of the oral cavity, thereby reducing the risk of aspiration. Oral hygiene is especially important for patients receiving oxygen therapy, patients who have nasogastric tubes, and patients who are NPO. Their oral mucosa dries out much faster than normal due to their mouth-breathing.

• Option A: A soft toothbrush or gauze-padded tongue blade may be used to clean the teeth and mouth. The patient should be positioned in the lateral position with the head turned toward the side to provide for drainage and to prevent aspiration.
• Option C: This is the most common position for surgery with a patient lying on his or her back with head, neck, and spine in neutral positioning and arms either adducted alongside the patient or abducted to less than 90 degrees.
• Option D: A variation of supine in which the head of the bed is tilted down such that the pubic symphysis is the highest point of the trunk facilitates venous return and improves exposure during abdominal and laparoscopic surgeries.