The practical nurse (PN) learns that a client who is receiving chemotherapy has developed stomatitis. Which information should the PN obtain from the client during a focused assessment?

A. Urinary output: Monitoring urinary output is important for clients on chemotherapy due to renal toxicity risk, but it is unrelated to the localized effects of stomatitis. The priority in stomatitis is maintaining oral intake and preventing nutritional compromise. B. Frequency of bowel movements: Bowel patterns may be affected by chemotherapy or medication use, yet they do not directly relate to oral mucosal inflammation. Stomatitis primarily interferes with eating and drinking rather than bowel elimination. C. Ability to swallow: Assessing the client’s ability to swallow is most important because stomatitis causes painful ulcerations and inflammation in the mouth, which can impair eating, drinking, and medication administration. Difficulty swallowing increases the risk of malnutrition, dehydration, and weight loss. D. Blood pressure while standing: Orthostatic blood pressure measurement is relevant for assessing fluid balance or cardiovascular stability but has no direct connection to stomatitis. The priority is evaluating how oral pain and lesions affect intake and swallowing safety.