Which statement would the nurse include in the teaching for a patient experiencing stomatitis from chemotherapy?

Which statement would the nurse include in the teaching for a patient experiencing stomatitis from chemotherapy?

• A. Use nutritional supplements if you are unable to eat full meals
• B. Brush teeth with lemon juice
• C. Rinse mouth with alcohol-based mouthwash
• D. Skip meals to rest the mouth

Answer: (A)

Chemotherapy-induced stomatitis inflames and can ulcerate the oral mucosa, making eating painful and reducing intake. The best approach taught is to use nutritional supplements when you cannot consume full meals, so you can maintain adequate calories and protein to support healing and energy. These supplements are designed to be easy to swallow and provide concentrated nutrition during this difficult time. Avoid irritants like lemon juice and alcohol-based mouthwash, which can worsen mucosal irritation, and don’t skip meals—that would worsen nutritional status and delay healing. If eating is painful, opt for small, bland, frequent meals and discuss tolerable mouth-care options with the care team while using supplements to help meet nutritional needs.

Chemotherapy-induced stomatitis inflames and can ulcerate the oral mucosa, making eating painful and reducing intake. The best approach taught is to use nutritional supplements when you cannot consume full meals, so you can maintain adequate calories and protein to support healing and energy. These supplements are designed to be easy to swallow and provide concentrated nutrition during this difficult time. Avoid irritants like lemon juice and alcohol-based mouthwash, which can worsen mucosal irritation, and don’t skip meals—that would worsen nutritional status and delay healing. If eating is painful, opt for small, bland, frequent meals and discuss tolerable mouth-care options with the care team while using supplements to help meet nutritional needs.