Which care approach is recommended for residents who are not eating?

• A. Frequent Mouth Care for Residents Not Eating
• B. NPO Care
• C. Skin Care for Gastrostomy
• D. Assistive Devices for Eating

Answer: (B)

When someone is not eating, the priority is to follow orders about oral intake. The main idea here is NPO care—Nothing By Mouth. This means no food, drink, or medications by mouth unless a clinician specifies otherwise. Following NPO protects the airway and avoids aspiration, especially if swallowing is impaired or there are other medical concerns. In practice, you maintain the resident’s safety by withholding anything by mouth and using alternative means of hydration or nutrition only if ordered (like IV fluids or a feeding tube).

Mouth care is still important for comfort and to prevent dry mouth, but it doesn’t replace the restriction on oral intake. The other options relate to situations like having a feeding tube or needing help to eat, which aren’t the immediate approach when the resident isn’t eating by mouth.