Investigation of the Effect of Oral Care With Coconut Oil on the Degree of Oral Mucositis in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Detailed Summary

Oral mucositis is characterized by ulcerative and inflammatory changes in the oral mucosa and is frequently seen in pediatric oncology patients receiving chemotherapy. Oral mucositis negatively affects the child's daily life functions, nutrition and quality of life. Pain is the most commonly reported side effect in mucositis. Pain impairs patients' ability to chew, swallow and speak, leading to inadequate fluid/nutrient intake, malnutrition and communication problems. Weight loss, dehydration, mucosal ulceration, fluid-electrolyte imbalance may develop in patients who cannot be fed adequately, and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) can be started. Other important complications of oral mucositis are oral bleeding and infection. The ulcerated oral mucosa creates an entrance gate for microorganisms, increasing the risk of bacterial/fungal/viral infections. Infections may be limited only to the oral mucosa, as well as systemic infection and septicemia. As a result, the length of hospital stay of the patients increases, the treatment costs increase and their quality of life deteriorates. Therefore, early diagnosis of oral mucositis, planning and implementation of oral care are important. Responsibility of nurses in the management of oral mucositis; monitoring the oral cavity for symptoms, diagnosing mucositis, providing appropriate oral care, and educating patients. In this context, it is extremely important to prevent oral mucositis, to evaluate the oral mucosa using a scale, and to reduce the degree of oral mucositis, that is, to perform appropriate oral care for its recovery, in terms of preventing other health problems and ensuring the well-being of the child. The aim of this thesis is to determine the effect of oral care with coconut oil on the degree of oral mucositis in pediatric oncology patients.

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