A nurse is providing postmortem care for a client prior to the family viewing the body. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A.
Raise the head of the client’s bed to 30 degrees.
B.
Cleanse the client’s body while wearing sterile gloves
C.
Remove the client’s dentures and close their mouth
D.
Apply surgical tape to the client’s eyes
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. Remove the client’s dentures and close their mouth.
Explanation:
Postmortem care involves preparing the deceased body for viewing by family members or for transportation. It is essential to handle this process with sensitivity and respect, maintaining dignity and appearance. Each action taken during postmortem care has a specific purpose, and understanding these helps ensure the process is carried out appropriately.
Option A: Raise the head of the client’s bed to 30 degrees Raising the head of the bed is typically done to maintain proper body alignment and prevent pooling of fluids in the lungs while the patient is still alive. After death, this action is less relevant, and it does not directly impact the preparation of the body for viewing.
Option B: Cleanse the client’s body while wearing sterile gloves While cleansing the body is a crucial part of postmortem care, it does not necessarily require sterile gloves. The primary goal here is to ensure cleanliness and appearance, and non-sterile gloves are usually sufficient unless a specific infection control protocol requires sterility. The focus is on respect and dignity rather than sterility.
Option C: Remove the client’s dentures and close their mouth This is a critical step in postmortem care. Dentures should be removed to prevent them from shifting or causing an unnatural appearance. Closing the mouth is also essential for maintaining a natural and peaceful appearance. If the mouth is left open, it can distort the face and make it less presentable for family members. This action ensures that the body appears as peaceful and dignified as possible, which is essential for the grieving process.
Option D: Apply surgical tape to the client’s eyes While applying surgical tape to the eyes can sometimes be done to ensure that they remain closed, it is not generally the preferred method in postmortem care. Many facilities use eye pads or other methods that are less likely to cause damage or discomfort to the deceased. Applying tape can sometimes cause damage to the delicate skin around the eyes.
In summary, Option C is the most appropriate action because it addresses both appearance and respect, ensuring that the body is presented in a dignified and natural manner for the family viewing.