Question

Per the ONS PEP resources for mucositis ( ), of the listed answers, oral care protocol would be what the nurse needs to ensure Mr. Patterson is doing at home for his early mucositis to prevent it from worsening.

Thinking that this is early mucositis, which of the following should the nurse instruct Mr. Patterson to do to help his symptoms?

a) Maintain a strict liquid diet to minimize irritation
b) Avoid oral hygiene practices to prevent further discomfort
c) Follow an oral care protocol as recommended in ONS PEP resources
d) Increase consumption of spicy foods to promote salivation

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct Mr. Patterson to follow an oral care protocol for early mucositis, as rigorous oral hygiene is essential in preventing infections and managing symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

For early mucositis, it is recommended that Mr. Patterson should follow an oral care protocol as suggested by the ONS PEP resources. Maintaining a strict liquid diet could help minimize irritation, but it is not specific enough to the condition of mucositis. On the other hand, avoiding oral hygiene could lead to further complications, and increasing consumption of spicy foods is likely to exacerbate irritation and discomfort, rather than help with mucositis symptoms.

Good oral hygiene is crucial for preventing an infection like trench mouth and managing symptoms of mucositis. For similar reasons of infection control, Sam's doctor recommended keeping his wound clean and using a topical antibiotic ointment, and in the case of Marisa's infection, the hospital staff followed stringent hand hygiene practices and careful disinfection protocols.