A nurse is caring for an older adult who has a gastrostomy tube. The nurse is developing a care plan related to oral care. Which of the following should the nurse consider for this patient? (Se-lect all that apply.)
a. Oral care should be provided every four hours.
b. Teeth should be brushed with a toothbrush after each tube-feeding.
c. Lemon glycerin swabs should be used in between feedings to keep the mouth moist.
d. Foam swabs should be used in place of a toothbrush to clean the teeth after each tube-feeding.
e. Oral care should be provided only twice daily if the older adult is edentulous.
ANS: A, B
Tube-feeding is associated with significant pathologic contamination of the mouth, greater than in individuals who receive oral feeding. Oral care should be provided every 4 hours for patients with gastrostomy tubes and teeth should be brushed with a toothbrush after each feeding to de-crease the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Lemon glycerin swabs should never be used for oral care, as they dry and inhibit saliva production. Foam swabs do not remove plaque as well as tooth-brushes. Oral care is required even if the individual is edentulous.
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