Central Mindanao University

College of Nursing
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE, RLE
Procedure Checklist

Name of Student:
Clinical Instructor:

Brushing and Flossing the Teeth of Conscious and Unconscious Client

A. Direction: Write your answers on the space provided.

Assessments:

Possible Nursing Diagnoses:

1.
2.

Materials:

B. Directions: Provide your assessment findings/rationale on the box. You are rated based on the
performance rubrics.

PROCEDURE RATIONALE
CONCSCIOUS CLIENT
Preparatory Phase:
1. Assess the client’s ability to brush the
teeth and rinse the mouth.

2. Explain procedure to client and inquire

about his preferences regarding
hygiene care.

3. Wash Hands

4. Gather equipment and place overbed

table.

5. Pull curtain or close room door

6. Raise bed to a comfortable working

position. Raise head of bed to position
in which client move to a position near
you.
7. Lower side rail and place towel on client

8. Position overbed table within easy

reach and adjust height as needed.

9. Apply toothpaste to toothbrush and

hold toothbrush over emesis basin.

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 Central Mindanao University
College of Nursing
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE, RLE
Procedure Checklist
PROCEDURE RATIONALE
Performance Phase:
10. Brush inner and outer surfaces of
upper and lower teeth, always
brushing from gum onto crown of each
tooth. Brush one tooth at a time. Clean
biting surfaces of teeth also by moving
bristles back and forth.
11. Hold brush at 45°angle and lightly
brush over surface and sides of tongue.
Avoid initiating gag reflex.

12. Allow client to rinse his mouth

thoroughly by taking several sips of
water, swishing it across all tooth
surfaces, and spitting it into emesis
basin.
13. Allow client to gargle or rinse his
mouth with mouthwash.

14. Assist client in a comfortable position,

remove bedside table, raise the side
rail, and lower bed to its original
position.
15. Wipe off overbed table, discard soiled
linen and towels in appropriate
container, and return equipment to
proper place.

16. Wash your hands.

17. Record and report procedure in Nurse’s

notes, mentioning specifically
condition or oral cavity.

UNCONCSCIOUS CLIENT
18. Explain procedure to client

19. Wash your hand

20. Place towels on overbed table and

arrange equipment.

21. Pull curtain around bed or close.

22. Raise bed to its highest horizontal level.

Lower side rail.

23. Position client on side near you. Make

sure his head is turned toward the
mattress.

24. Place towel under client’s face and

emesis basin under his chin.

25. Carefully separate client’s upper and

lower teeth with padded tongue blade.

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 Central Mindanao University
College of Nursing
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE, RLE
Procedure Checklist
PROCEDURE RATIONALE
26. Clean client’s mouth using toothettes
or tongue blade moistened with
mouthwash or water. Suction as
needed cleansing. Clean chewing and
inner surfaces first. Swab roof of
mouth and inside cheek and lips. Swab
mouth to rinse. Repeat as needed.
27. Apply petroleum jelly to clients lip.

28. Explain to client that you have

completed the procedure.

29. Reposition client comfortably, raise

side rail and return bed to its original
position.

30. Clean equipment and return it to

proper place. Dispose soiled linen in
“dirty” utility room.
31. Wash your hands

32. Record procedure in Nurse’s notes

mentioning pertinent observations.

FLOSS THE TEETH

33. Assist the client to floss
independently, or floss teeth as follows:
 Wrap one end of the floss around
the third finger of each hand.

References: (Kozier, Erb, Berman, & Snyder, 2014); (Nettina, 2006)

C. Write medical terms and abbreviations related to this procedure. Provide meaning for each.

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