Question

A nurse is creating a plan of care for a client who has mucositis following a head and neck radiation therapy to treat cancer. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

a.Encourage three servings of citrus foods daily.
b.Provide lemon-glycerin swabs for oral hygiene after meals.
c.Increase fluid intake to 2 L per day.
d.Heat oral hygiene mouth rinses before use.

Answer 1

The nurse should include lemon-glycerin swabs for oral hygiene after meals in the plan of care for a client with mucositis following head and neck radiation therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should include the following intervention in the plan of care for the client with mucositis following head and neck radiation therapy:

• Provide lemon-glycerin swabs for oral hygiene after meals. Lemon-glycerin swabs can help soothe and clean the mouth, reducing discomfort and preventing further complications.

Encouraging three servings of citrus foods daily might worsen the symptoms as citrus foods are acidic and can irritate the already damaged oral tissues. Increasing fluid intake to 2 L per day is important to maintain hydration and promote oral health, but it may not directly alleviate mucositis. Heating oral hygiene mouth rinses before use may provide comfort, but it is not a specific intervention for mucositis.