A patient undergoing chemotherapy reports painful oral ulcers, difficulty eating, and a metallic taste in the mouth. The nurse suspects stomatitis. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for this patient?
Encourage the patient to use an alcohol-based mouthwash to clean the oral cavity.
Advise the patient to avoid all oral intake until the ulcers heal completely.
Suggest the patient to brush their teeth vigorously to remove any bacteria from the mouth
Recommend the patient to consume soft, non-irritating foods and avoid acidic or spicy foods.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Encourage the patient to use an alcohol-based mouthwash to clean the oral cavity:
Alcohol-based mouthwashes can irritate the oral mucosa and worsen the pain of stomatitis. Instead, non-alcoholic, soothing mouth rinses are recommended.
B. Advise the patient to avoid all oral intake until the ulcers heal completely: Patients still need proper nutrition, and complete avoidance of food can lead to malnutrition. Soft, non-irritating foods are encouraged rather than full avoidance.
C. Suggest the patient brush their teeth vigorously to remove any bacteria from the mouth: Vigorous brushing can worsen oral ulcers and lead to further pain and bleeding. A gentle, soft-bristle toothbrush should be recommended.
D. Recommend the patient to consume soft, non-irritating foods and avoid acidic or spicy foods.
Consuming soft, bland, non-irritating foods and avoiding acidic or spicy foods helps reduce discomfort and prevent further irritation of oral ulcers, which is essential in managing stomatitis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees: While elevating the head of the bed may help ease breathing, it does not address the potential issue of NG tube misplacement.
B. Administer a bronchodilator as prescribed: This would only be appropriate if the patient’s respiratory distress were related to bronchospasm or asthma, not NG tube displacement.
C. Check the placement of the NG tube to ensure it has not dislodged into the lungs. When a patient with an NG tube experiences respiratory distress, the tube may have dislodged and entered the respiratory tract, which could obstruct breathing. Verifying the placement of the NG tube is critical to preventing aspiration or further complications.
D. Increase the flow rate of the patient’s oxygen therapy: This may provide temporary relief but does not resolve the underlying cause of the distress if the NG tube has entered the respiratory tract.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Apply a heating pad to the abdomen: This is incorrect and potentially harmful, as applying heat to the abdomen can increase blood flow and worsen inflammation or risk rupture of the appendix.
B. Administer a cleansing enema: Enemas should not be administered for suspected appendicitis as they may cause irritation and increase the risk of perforation.
C. Administer oral analgesics as needed: Oral analgesics are contraindicated since the patient should be NPO, and strong pain relief might mask the symptoms of a ruptured appendix.
D. Place the patient on NPO status: The highest priority preoperative intervention is to place the patient on NPO (nothing by mouth) status to prevent aspiration during anesthesia, a standard preoperative practice, especially for abdominal surgeries.
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