Oral Care
This is the minimum number of times oral care should be provided daily for residents who eat by mouth.
What is twice a day (morning and bedtime)?
To help a resident with poor grip eat more independently, this type of utensil may be helpful.
What is a built-up handle or adaptive utensil?
This is the very first action you should take if you discover a fire.
What is remain calm?
This thin sheet is placed under a resident to assist with repositioning and reduce friction injuries.
What is a draw sheet?
This grooming task is essential not just for hygiene, but to support how residents feel about themselves.
What is shaving?
This is a safe alternative to a toothbrush for providing oral care to residents with poor gag reflex or reduced alertness.
What is an oral swab or suction toothbrush?
A resident insists they can bathe independently, but often forgets to turn off the water. You should do this.
What is provide standby supervision or update the service plan?
This four-letter acronym helps staff remember the fire response steps.
What is R.A.C.E. (Remove, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish)?
When changing the linens of an occupied bed, staff should always do this first to protect the resident’s privacy.
What is close the curtain or door?
Helping a resident dress well, brush their hair, or wear their favorite outfit shows respect for this core value.
What is dignity?
Oral care is especially important for residents who are NPO or unconscious because it helps prevent this serious complication.
What is aspiration pneumonia?
This term describes setting up grooming items and giving verbal cues without doing the task for them.
What is cueing or set-up assistance?
After removing residents in immediate danger, this is the next R.A.C.E. step.
What is alarm (pull the alarm and call 911)?
To prevent skin breakdown, bedbound residents should be repositioned at least this often.
What is every two hours?
You notice a resident is wearing dirty clothes several days in a row. This ADL may need a new care plan.
What is dressing (or hygiene)?
If a resident refuses oral care, you should do these two things.
What are re-approach later with empathy and document the refusal?
Providing care "with the resident, not to the resident" protects this.
What is their dignity or autonomy?
This should never be opened if it feels hot during a fire check.
What is a door?
When rolling a resident to one side, this body part should be supported with a pillow to reduce pressure.
What is the bony joint (e.g., knee or elbow)?
For peri-care, this method of cleansing is often more effective and gentler on skin than using disposable wipes.
What is cleansing with warm water, soap, and a washcloth?
These signs in the mouth may indicate infection or poor oral hygiene and must be reported to a nurse.
What are redness, bleeding, odor, sores, or white patches (possible thrush)?
This change to routine ADL care should trigger documentation and possibly involve the nurse.
What is a decline in function or increased care need?
Fire extinguishers should be used for this purpose during an evacuation.
What is creating an exit path (not fully fighting the fire)?
To safely roll a resident in bed, staff should use this technique instead of pulling on limbs or clothing.
What is log rolling or using a draw sheet with teamwork?
This is the most important reason peri-care must be done thoroughly and regularly, especially for residents who are incontinent.
What is to prevent skin breakdown, infection, and discomfort?