A patient who is postoperative wants to put in his dentures. Which is an effective nursing intervention related to the dentures to minimize the risk of gum irritation that can lead to infec-tion?

Question

a. Store the dentures in a clean, dry contain-er.
b. Scrub the dentures with mint toothpaste.
c. Check to see that the dentures are a snug fit.
d. Use dental floss to clean between each tooth.

Answer 1

C
Preventing infection for a postoperative patient is a major concern because the patient has at least two risk factors for infection: being hospitalized and being postoperative. The nurse includes checking the fit of the dentures to ensure a snug bond between the gums and the dentures and to prevent pressure points, soreness, and the formation of oral lesions that can irritate the gums and lead to infection. The dentures need to be snug enough to establish a strong bond to the patient's gums. But the nurse does not want the dentures to fit too tightly because the pressure can lead to oral breakdown and impairment of the innate defenses of the body. To maintain an even, snug fit, the nurse stores the dentures in a clean, moist container to prevent warping. Scrubbing the den-tures cleans the surface of buildup, debris, and the microorganism count, but the nurse should use a commercial denture product. Dental floss is not used on dentures.