ORAL MUCOSITIS

Course overview

ORAL MUCOSITIS IS A DEBILITATING CONDITION, AND IT PRESENTS AS ERYTHEMA, EDEMA, AND ULCERATION OF THE ORAL MUCOSA WITH SUBSEQUENT PAIN AND RESTRICTION IN ORAL INTAKE. THE LESIONS CAN ALSO BREAK THE SKIN BARRIER RESULTING IN LOCAL OR SYSTEMIC INFECTION. IN SEVERE CASES, THIS CAN LEAD TO PARENTERAL NUTRITION, ULTIMATELY LEADING TO POOR QUALITY OF LIFE. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF ORAL MUCOSITIS AND REVIEWS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING COMPLICATIONS OF ORAL MUCOSITIS TO IMPROVE PATIENT OUTCOMES.