The nurse assessing a child who is undergoing chemotherapy finds the child to be suffering from mucositis. Which of the following interventions would be most helpful?

Question

a. good oral care to clean the oral cavity of food particles and debris
b. sips of ice and lubricating oil to the lips
c. a room humidifier with a eucalyptus oil added to the water
d. six to eight glasses of water every day

Answer 1

A

Feedback
A Correct. Good oral care including use of a cleansing solution such as warm water or chlorhexidine to clean the oral cavity of food particles and debris would be most helpful for treating mucositis. Mucositis (stomatitis) is a common gastrointestinal side effect of chemotherapy. It is an inflammation of the oral mucosa that ranges from mild redness to severe, painful ulceration which may cause a decrease in oral intake and lead to dehydration, poor nutrition, and weight loss.
B Incorrect. Sips of ice and lubricating oil to the lips would not be most helpful since the oral ulcers occur in the mouth and pharynx. Similar lesions can extend along the esophagus and in the rectal area.
C Incorrect. A room humidifier with eucalyptus oil added to the water would not help in treating mucositis.
D Incorrect. Six to eight glasses of water every day would not help because the mouth ulcers may be too painful for the child to want to drink this amount of fluids.