The reason for contraindication of oral intake is?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2017

Explanation

'All of the above' because each listed condition represents a valid and significant reason to withhold oral intake to prevent harm.
Unconsciousness impairs protective reflexes like swallowing and gagging, leading to a high risk of aspiration (food/fluid entering the lungs).
Mouth trauma can make the mechanical process of chewing and swallowing painful, difficult, or impossible.
Severe indigestion, particularly when associated with vomiting or a need for bowel rest (e.g., before surgery), is a clear contraindication.

Option A: This option is a correct contraindication, but it is not the only one listed. Therefore, selecting it alone is incomplete.
Option B: This option is a correct contraindication, but it is not the only one listed. Therefore, selecting it alone is incomplete.
Option C: This option is a correct contraindication (in severe cases), but it is not the only one listed. Therefore, selecting it alone is incomplete.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Contraindications for Oral Intake as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's primary responsibility includes assessing a patient's ability to swallow safely before administering any oral medications, fluids, or food. This is a critical patient safety check.
Patients are often made NPO (nothing by mouth) before surgery to reduce the risk of aspiration of stomach contents during anesthesia.
What if? If a conscious patient who has had a stroke has a weak cough and drools from one side of their mouth, the nurse should keep them NPO and request a formal swallowing evaluation by a speech-language pathologist, as these are signs of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and high aspiration risk.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the question's core concept, which is identifying reasons why a person cannot safely eat or drink.
Evaluate each option independently. Ask yourself, 'Is being unconscious a reason to avoid oral intake?' Yes, due to aspiration risk.
Next, ask, 'Is mouth trauma a reason?' Yes, due to pain and mechanical difficulty.
Then, ask, 'Is indigestion a reason?' Yes, in severe cases with vomiting, it necessitates bowel rest.
Recognize that multiple options (A, B, and C) are all correct. When this occurs, look for an 'All of the above' option.
Since 'All of the above' is available and accurately reflects that all listed conditions are valid contraindications, select it as the most complete and correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QIoaJoIauw-g0zMxsGOcRG

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 4 p. 194-196

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 726-728

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 2 p. 135-137

Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.