Question 22 of 35

That would not be the correct manner to treat this patient's trismus.

The patient should be instructed to:

take aspirin for pain and its anti-inflammatory properties
use hot, moist towels for 20 mnutes every hour on affected side
use warm, salt water rinses on the affected side
take muscle relaxants if necessary
open and close their mouth for 5 minutes every 3 - 4 hours, including lateral movements

Improvement will usually be noted within 48 - 72 hours.