Stomatitis Nursing Care Plan | Complete NCP with Assessment, Diagnosis & Interventions

 

Stomatitis Nursing Care Plan (NCP)

Stomatitis is a painful inflammation of the oral mucosa characterized by redness, swelling, and ulcerative lesions that interfere with eating, speaking, and overall comfort. Nursing students and healthcare professionals must understand the complete nursing process when caring for patients with stomatitis. This guide explains the full Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for stomatitis, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, interventions with rationale, and evaluation.

Definition of Stomatitis

Stomatitis is the inflammation of the oral mucosa that may present as painful sores, redness, or ulcerations. It can be caused by infections, trauma, chemotherapy, poor oral hygiene, or underlying systemic diseases.

Assessment

Subjective Data

• Patient complains of painful mouth sores.

• Reports difficulty chewing and swallowing.

• Expresses loss of appetite due to oral pain.

Objective Data

• Redness and swelling of oral mucosa.

• Multiple ulcerative lesions observed.

• Poor oral intake and signs of dehydration in severe cases.

• Vital signs may show low-grade fever (37.9°C).

Vital Signs (Case Example)

• Blood Pressure: 118/76 mmHg

• Pulse: 88 bpm

• SpO₂: 97% on room air

• Temperature: 37.9°C

• Respiratory Rate: 20 breaths/min

Nursing Diagnosis

Impaired oral mucous membrane related to inflammatory process secondary to stomatitis as evidenced by oral pain, ulcerative lesions, and difficulty eating.

Planning

Short-Term Goal

• Patient will report decreased oral pain within 24 hours.

Long-Term Goal

• Patient will maintain intact oral mucosa and adequate nutritional intake within one week.

Nursing Interventions with Rationales

1. Assess the oral cavity every shift.
   Rationale: Frequent monitoring helps detect progression of lesions, healing response, or secondary infection.

2. Provide saline mouth rinses after meals and at bedtime.
   Rationale: Saline reduces irritation, promotes healing, and decreases microbial load in the oral cavity.

3. Administer prescribed analgesics as needed.
   Rationale: Pain management improves comfort, allowing the patient to eat and maintain nutritional intake.

4. Encourage consumption of soft, bland, and high-calorie foods.
   Rationale: Soft foods reduce mechanical trauma to lesions while providing adequate nutrition for healing.

5. Educate the patient on maintaining oral hygiene with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
   Rationale: Gentle cleaning prevents plaque buildup and secondary infections while reducing discomfort.

6. Encourage increased fluid intake, unless contraindicated.
   Rationale: Fluids help prevent dehydration and maintain mucosal hydration, promoting healing.

7. Collaborate with a dietitian if poor oral intake persists.
   Rationale: Ensures individualized nutritional planning for optimal healing and weight maintenance.

Evaluation

• Short-Term Evaluation: After 24 hours, patient verbalized reduced oral pain and tolerated soft foods better.

• Long-Term Evaluation: After 1 week, patient maintained intact oral mucosa, adequate nutritional intake, and showed no new ulcerations.

FAQs on Stomatitis Nursing Care Plan

1. What are the main causes of stomatitis?
Stomatitis can be caused by infections, chemotherapy, poor oral hygiene, vitamin deficiencies, mechanical trauma, or systemic diseases.

2. Why is oral hygiene important in stomatitis?
Good oral hygiene prevents secondary infections and promotes faster healing of ulcers and inflamed tissues.

3. What foods should a stomatitis patient avoid?
Patients should avoid spicy, acidic, and rough-textured foods that irritate oral lesions.

4. What is the priority nursing diagnosis for stomatitis?
The priority diagnosis is usually impaired oral mucous membrane related to inflammation, ulceration, or infection.

5. How long does stomatitis usually last with proper care?
Mild cases may resolve within 7–10 days, while severe cases may take longer depending on the cause and treatment.