A patient undergoing radiation treatment for laryngeal cancer has developed xerostomia and mucositis, leading to an imbalance in nutritional intake.
What is the most likely reason for this issue?

A.Bone misalignment- The nurse’s notes mention that the collarbone appears out of alignment on the left side. This could indicate a fracture or dislocation and should be investigated further.

B.Decreased range of motion- The client reports an inability to move his left arm. This could be due to the pain or a result of the injury and should be investigated further.

C.Left arm that is cool to touch- Decreased temperature in a limb can indicate poor circulation, which could be a result of the injury. This should be investigated further.

D.Swelling at the site of injury- Swelling and bruising are present on the client’s shoulder. This is a common sign of injury and should be investigated further.

E.Blood pressure of 136/90 mm Hg- While this blood pressure is not extremely high, it is on the higher end of normal. Given the client’s age and the stress of the situation, it would be worth monitoring.

F.Intense pain reported by client- The client reports a pain rating of 10 on a 0 to 10 scale in the left arm. This level of pain is concerning and should be addressed.

G.Oxygen saturation 95% on room air- While an oxygen saturation of 95% is within the normal range, given the client’s recent trauma and reported nausea, it would be prudent to monitor this closely.

Choice A rationale

Phobia is characterized by an excessive and irrational fear response. In this case, the patient’s symptoms do not indicate a specific fear, but rather general distress and intrusive thoughts related to a traumatic event.

Choice B rationale

The patient’s symptoms, which include distressing thoughts and memories of the house collapsing, difficulty sleeping, and a significant change in mood, are indicative of acute stress disorder related to traumatic stress exposure. Acute stress disorder can occur within a month of experiencing a traumatic event, like a natural disaster.

Choice C rationale

Hallucinations involve perceiving something that is not present. The patient’s symptoms do not include any indications of hallucinations.

Choice D rationale

Separation anxiety involves excessive fear or anxiety about separation from those to whom the individual is attached. The patient’s symptoms do not indicate a fear of separation, but rather distress related to a traumatic event.