Pathology · single question
Treatment for mucositis following radiation or chemotherapy: what should be recommended?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Change chlorhexidine rinse to povidone-iodine (iodopovidone) rinse
- A. Incorrect. Systemic high-dose steroids are not the standard management for radiation mucositis.
- B. Incorrect. Oral hygiene should be MAINTAINED during mucositis (with gentle technique) to prevent secondary infection.
- C. Correct. For radiation/chemotherapy-induced mucositis, the recommended management includes REPLACING CHLORHEXIDINE RINSE with more soothing agents like POVIDONE-IODINE (IODOPOVIDONE) rinse, saline rinses, or baking soda rinses. Chlorhexidine can be irritating to the already-damaged mucosa and is generally not indicated for radiation mucositis. Povidone-iodine has antimicrobial and wound-cleansing properties with less mucosal irritation.
- D. Incorrect. Topical lidocaine provides pain relief but is not the primary management — it is adjunctive.