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In patients with HIV/AIDS who suffer from mouth lesions, one of the foods to recommend is:

a. potato chips

b. orange juice

c. peanut butter

d. baked chicken

Well, clearly we've eliminated option A and B:yeah:. Option A is too hard and too salty. Option B is too acidic.

My study group is having a little friendly debate over option C and D.

Two of say C and Two of us say D. Hmmmm.

The rationale for C is that the patient has mouth lesions possibly impaired chewing/swallowing. Peanut butter is soft and it's also room temperature, so it may be better. Chicken may be too course. The rationale for D is that it would be easier to swallow and that Peanut Butter is too sticky. I chose D, then I chose C, then I chose D, now I'm back at C.....

Can someone give me their answer and their rationale and help us solve this?

Thanks!

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Specializes in ER, Critical Care, Paramedicine.

I say C. Oral ulcers are aggrevated by salty, spicy, or hot foods. You were correct that A and B are certain. Peanut butter is a soft, bland food which should not make the ulcer worse. I suppose you could argue that if the chicken was cold it may be ok, but it doesn't say cold. I'm going for C.

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Specializes in CNA, MA.

i say c also!

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I would pick D. Only b/c of personal preference, lol. If I had sores in my mouth, I would want nothing sticky. PB is too thick, and you just about have to suck it down. I think this would cause more discomfort. I also think that a clue is the word baked. Baked chicken is usually very soft.

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another one going for C..for this reason:

Peanut butter is a good source of protein, vitamin E, niacin, phosphorus and magnesium

chicken is also nutritious BUT it has a coorificer texture to it than peanut butter and chewing might not be too easy when you have a mouth full of sores. And it says baked chicken which leads me to assume its of a hot/warm temp which will aggravate the mouth ulcers.

I'm going with C. Peanut Butter

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I choose D. Chicken has protien for healing and would be easier to chew and swallow without sticking to lesions.

Don't assume that the patient has chewing/swallowing impairment or what the food temperature is. Be careful of adding things that the question does not ask.

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I choose D. Chicken has protien for healing and would be easier to chew and swallow without sticking to lesions.

Both peanut butter and chicken have protein. But look at this:

  • Peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons - 8 grams protein
  • Chicken breast, 3.5 oz - 30 grams protein
  • Chicken thigh - 10 grams (for average size)
  • Drumstick - 11 grams
  • Wing - 6 grams
  • Chicken meat, cooked, 4 oz - 35 grams

If I had a mouth full of lesions I'd think I'd rather have to swallow 2 tablespoons of peanut butter than that amount of chicken. JMHO

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Specializes in PICU/Pedi.

I would say C, because peanut butter is a high protein and calorie food (good for the wasting that HIV/AIDS causes), and easier to swallow than the others.

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3.5 oz of chicken is nothing. It's literally the size probably of the palm of your hand.

that's all i have to add cause I'm curious to know whether it's c or d. lol

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

C. Real life experience does not always equate to the correct answer on an exam, but when a family member of mine underwent bone marrow transplant and had horrible mouth sores, there is no way he could have chewed enough to make swallowing chicken breast tolerable for him. Peanut butter could be swallowed without much chewing and had acceptable nutritious value and superior caloric content, which is also a big goal when mouth sores are present. Getting any calories in them at all was a triumph.

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Specializes in PICU/Pedi.

I don't have time to look it up, but I thought peanut butter actually was invented by a doctor for his patients that weren't able to eat much, because of it caloric and nutrient value. Anybody know?

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My initial response is baked chicken as it is soft and peanut butter is known for disrupting or developing canker sores. Not sure if that is the same sores for HIV person but it is mouth sores. I go with D.

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