Question from Exam

[silverhalide]

Quick question about a question that was on our final exam (which we can't review)

Don't know if I got this one right.

As far as a patient resuming oral intake -- safe for oral intake etc..

is it more important that they

a. the patient is alert

b. the return of the gag reflex.

those are the two I was deciding between. I answered the gag reflex, because that is always checked post - op. A pt. could be lethargic and still be able to take oral fluids.

but then LOC is the most important risk for aspiration right?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think you got it right.

[iluvnoodles]

remember safety is always first. patient can be alert but unable to take oral meds safely. Always assess if they have any problems with swallowing.

[eaRN]

Gag reflex is most important. You can't give anything by mouth until they have the gag reflex.

[JEAN09]

i had a similar question on a exam and i picked gag reflex.

[Intern67]

but then LOC is the most important risk for aspiration right?

Not in the context of this question.

I would pick the same answer as you. It doesn't matter how alert a patient is if they lack the ability to swallow.

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

Did the question say what kind of procedure they had done? A lot of times I see questions about post-bronchoscopy care, and those kinds of questions are almost always checking to see if you know to assess for the return of gag reflex.

I (vaguely) remember being given sips of ginger ale while in recovery from an out-patient surgery. So yes, they will give PO fluids even if LOC is not yet back to normal...