When providing mouth care for a client who requires total care, what should the nurse do first?

When providing mouth care for a client who requires total care, the first step is to place the client on their side. This position helps reduce the risk of aspiration, which is particularly important for clients who may have difficulty swallowing or who are at risk of choking. By turning the client to their side, the nurse can facilitate the natural drainage of fluids and debris from the mouth and help ensure a safer and more effective cleaning process.

Assisting the client to sit upright could also be beneficial, but in many cases where total care is needed, especially if the client is unable to support themselves, side positioning is often the safest first step. Using a toothbrush and rinsing the client's mouth are important components of oral care, but they typically follow the initial positioning to ensure safety throughout the procedure.