The nurse is supervising the care of the patient who suffered an embolic stroke of the right middle cerebral artery after a clot formed on the patient’s prosthetic mitral valve. Which instruction does the nurse provide to the unlicensed assistive personnel that will be most important to prevent bacterial endocarditis?

Thoroughly cleanse the patient’s mouth after meals. The patient with a prosthetic valve is at risk for bacterial endocarditis if tooth decay occurs and bacteria enter the bloodstream. Additionally, the patient likely has dysphagia and muscle weakness following the stroke, so may experience an inability to fully clean the mouth. The nurse cleanses the patient’s mouth well after meals to prevent tooth decay and subsequent bacterial invasion. Passive range of motion exercises prevent contractures. Positioning the patient on the left side with the head of bed elevated after meals prevents aspiration. Deep vein thrombosis is prevented by wearing sequential compression devices (SCDs) while in bed.

The nurse is supervising the care of the patient who suffered an ...

Category: Management of Care
Difficulty: 8

Topics: Cardiovascular Delegation, Prioritization and Leadership Disease Prevention HEENT Hematology/Oncology Neurology Health Promotion Immunity Infection Inflammation

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