CHAPTER 13 The Mouth and Oral Cavity

CHAPTER 13 The Mouth and Oral Cavity

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

13.1•Changes in the mouth that naturally occur with the aging process include

 

1. thickening of the enamel on the teeth.
2. recession of the gums.
3. increase in saliva production, resulting in drooling in some cases.

Answer: 2

 

Rationale: With age, gums tend to recede leaving the newly exposed area of the teeth below the previous gum line vulnerable to tooth decay. Enamel on teeth is worn away and abraded. The production of saliva decreases with age. Leukoplakia, a white patchy coating that occurs on the oral mucosa, is not normal and requires further evaluation and possibly biopsy.

Assessment

Physiological Integrity

Application

 

13.2•The presence of vesicles on the oral mucosa or a punched out appearance of a mouth sore is suggestive of

 

2. oral candidiasis or fungal infection.
4. herpes simplex or zoster infection.

Answer: 4

 

Rationale: A viral infection with herpes simplex or zoster in the oral mucosa causes a mouth sore with vesicles or a punched out appearance. Gingivitis causes reddened gums that bleed easily. Candidiasis appears as cheesy curdlike white patches on the oral mucosa. Leukoplakia causes a white patchy coating in the oral mucosa that may be a precancerous lesion.

Assessment

Physiological Integrity

Analysis

 

13.3•A client in a long-term care facility tells the nurse he is having mouth pain rated a 6 on a 10-point pain scale. The first action the gerontological nurse should take is to

 

1. notify the physician in charge about the client’s problem.
2. carefully inspect the client’s mouth, teeth, and tongue.
3. medicate the client with a prescribed mild analgesic.
4. instruct the client to begin rinsing the mouth with an isotonic solution.

Answer: 2

 

Rationale: The first step the nurse should do in response to a client complaining of mouth pain is to carefully conduct a thorough assessment of the oral cavity and visualize any obvious source for the pain. The nurse may, depending on the results of the assessment, act appropriately to notify the client’s physician, medicate the client with a mild pain medication prescribed when necessary, or suggest that the client rinse the mouth with an isotonic solution.

Intervention

Physiological Integrity

Application

 

13.4•Clients in long-term care facilities who are uncooperative with oral hygiene, including teeth brushing, are likely to benefit from the use of which of the following agents in the mouth care they do receive?

 

1. lemon and glycerine swabs
2. Nystatin
3. undiluted hydrogen peroxide
4. chlorhexidine (Peridex)

Answer: 4

 

Rationale: Chlorhexidine (Peridex) is used with clients in which mechanical plaque removal is difficult to achieve. This mouth rinse is used to treat gingival and periodontal disease and oral infections. The use of lemon and glycerine swabs is not recommended and has been found to be harmful to the oral tissues. Nystatin is an antifungal agent, which is used to treat oral candidiasis. The use of hydrogen peroxide has been questioned because there is evidence suggesting that it is harmful to the oral mucosa.

Intervention

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Application