The nurse is teaching a patient with stomatitis about mouth care. What should the nurse include in this teaching?

Question

Select all that apply.
1. Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
2. Use a saline or sodium bicarbonate rinse after every meal.
3. Consume 8 oz of yogurt or buttermilk daily.
4. Avoid cold beverages.
5. Use lemon-glycerin swabs between meals.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3
The patient should be instructed to avoid the use of tobacco and alcohol as they damage the oral mucosa and increase the risk for oral mucositis. Saline or sodium bicarbonate rinses are buffering agents that are gentler on the oral mucosa Patients taking an extended course of antibiotic therapy or who have impaired immune function should consume 8 oz of yogurt containing live bacterial cultures or 8 oz of buttermilk daily. Cold drinks generally are more soothing than hot drinks, which should be avoided. Lemon-glycerin swabs are drying to the oral mucosa and should be avoided.