A patient undergoing radiation therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer is experiencing mucositis, a common side effect of the treatment.
The nurse is aware that mucositis may lead to complications such as difficulty swallowing, pain, and increased risk of infection. To manage these symptoms effectively, the nurse should assess the patient's oral cavity regularly and implement strategies to promote oral hygiene. One important aspect of care is to encourage the patient to use a saline rinse to protect the mucosal lining. When preparing the saline solution, the nurse should ensure the concentration is safe for use.
For a saline solution, a typical recommendation is to mix ____ grams of salt in ____ liters of water. However, to achieve the correct concentration, the nurse needs to calculate the amount of salt needed accurately.