How often should skin care be provided to an unconscious patient?

Answer 1

The accepted guideline is that: # You do NOT use CPR on an unconscious patient unless there is no respiration and/or no heartbeat. # Once you start, you should stop when: * The patient's heartbeat and respiration return -or- * You are relieved by another competent person to continue resuscitation -or- * You are physically exhausted and cannot continue -or- * Someone is able to pronounce the patient legally dead -or However many times it takes, then. Please note, CPR does not usually start the heart and breathing back up. It is important to continue doing CPR until paramedics or medical personnel with the correct equipment to restart the heart arrive.

Answer 2

The minimum is every 4 hours, because infection takes hold very quickly and another infection on top of what is causing the unconsciousness is something the patient just doesn't need. In acute unconsciousness, ordinary standard hospital protocols for the agents used to clean the mouth may be used.

In longer term unconsciousness, such as stroke victims, it may not be wise to keep using chemical based cleansers because of irritation to the mucosa. In longer cases, a solution of bicarbonate of soda applied with cotton guaze is a good way to go, and after cleaning is done, 5ml or less of live natural Greek yoghurt keeps the mouth clean. You wipe it over the surfaces of the mouth and between the cheek and the gums with moistened cotton wool. Obviously you can't put spoonsful of fluid in an unconscious patient's mouth just like that because of the risk of choking. Using this regime, oral care may be done 6 hourly, but should be increased if sordes or other unhealthy signs are observed.

Answer 3

Every 4 hours