Which assessment finding would indicate a chemotherapy patient may have difficulty maintaining proper nutrition?

• A. Mucositis
• B. Fatigue
• C. Neutropenia
• D. Diarrhea

Answer: (A)

Mucositis directly interferes with the ability to eat. Chemotherapy damages rapidly dividing cells of the mucous membranes, leading to mouth and throat inflammation and painful ulcers. When the mouth is sore and ulcers are present, swallowing and chewing become uncomfortable, which causes a decrease in oral intake. That drop in intake can quickly lead to inadequate nutrition, weight loss, and dehydration, signaling a patient may struggle to maintain proper nutrition.

Other options may relate to general side effects of treatment, but they don’t pinpoint the eating difficulty as clearly. Fatigue can reduce activity and appetite over time but isn’t as direct a marker of nutritional intake. Neutropenia concerns infection risk rather than nutrition status. Diarrhea can affect fluid and electrolyte balance and nutrient absorption, but the pain and inability to eat from mucositis is the most immediate indicator that nutrition maintenance may be compromised.