Question

A nurse is caring for a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy. The patient reports alterations in the sense of taste and nausea during the course of the therapy.

1. Explain the reason the patient’s sense of taste is altered?

2. What should the nurse do to ensure that the patient doesn’t suffer any nutritional imbalance?

Answer 1

Alterations in the sense of taste and may occur during chemotherapy, this is thought to be due to damage to the cells in the oral cavity which are sensitive to chemotherapy.

Measures that may be taken to overcome this altered sense of taste are

• Have small frequent meals
• Choosing foods that look and smell appealing
• Flavouring foods with herbs, spices, sauces, create tart tastes using lemon
• Marinating meats
• Eat fresh vegetables
• Fruits may be frozen which may act as a treat such as grapes, oranges, cantaloupe watermelon
• Fruits may also be blended into shakes, icecream or yoghurt
• Red meat may be substituted with other foods rich in proteins such as chicken, fish, beans or peas, tofu, nuts, seeds, eggs and cheese.