A 70-year-old client with Alzheimer’s disease has deep inflamed cracks at the corners of the mouth. Which intervention should be included in the care plan?

A 70-year-old client with Alzheimer’s disease has deep inflamed cracks at the corners of the mouth. Which intervention should be included in the care plan?

• A. Scrub the lesions with warm soapy water.
• B. Notify the healthcare provider of the need for oral antibiotics.
• C. Ensure that the client gets adequate B vitamins in foods or supplements.
• D. Encourage the client to drink orange juice for added vitamin C.

Answer: (C)

Angular cheilitis in an older adult is often tied to insufficient B vitamins, which are essential for the health of skin and mucous membranes. When riboflavin and other B vitamins are lacking, the corners of the mouth can crack and inflame, making healing slow and increasing irritation. The most effective care plan focus is to ensure adequate B vitamins through foods or appropriate supplements, supporting the body's ability to repair the damaged skin and preventing recurrence. This approach targets the underlying issue rather than just treating symptoms. Scrubbing the lesions with soap would irritate the skin and worsen the cracks. Using oral antibiotics is only necessary if there’s a secondary infection, which isn’t established here. Drinking orange juice emphasizes vitamin C, which doesn’t address the B vitamin deficiency primarily responsible for angular cheilitis and can irritate the already cracked skin due to acidity. Encouraging B-rich foods—dairy, eggs, meat, leafy greens, legumes, and whole grains—or a clinician-guided supplement fits the situation best.

Angular cheilitis in an older adult is often tied to insufficient B vitamins, which are essential for the health of skin and mucous membranes. When riboflavin and other B vitamins are lacking, the corners of the mouth can crack and inflame, making healing slow and increasing irritation. The most effective care plan focus is to ensure adequate B vitamins through foods or appropriate supplements, supporting the body's ability to repair the damaged skin and preventing recurrence.

This approach targets the underlying issue rather than just treating symptoms. Scrubbing the lesions with soap would irritate the skin and worsen the cracks. Using oral antibiotics is only necessary if there’s a secondary infection, which isn’t established here. Drinking orange juice emphasizes vitamin C, which doesn’t address the B vitamin deficiency primarily responsible for angular cheilitis and can irritate the already cracked skin due to acidity. Encouraging B-rich foods—dairy, eggs, meat, leafy greens, legumes, and whole grains—or a clinician-guided supplement fits the situation best.