A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving radiation therapy for throat cancer and reports experiencing dry mouth. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?

Offering sugar-free hard candy between meals is the appropriate recommendation for a client experiencing dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, from radiation therapy to the throat. Sugar-free candy stimulates saliva production without the cariogenic risk of sugar-containing products, which is especially important because radiation to the head and neck also compromises dental health. Increased saliva flow helps lubricate the mouth and throat, making eating and swallowing more comfortable. Advising the client to drink fluids only between meals is incorrect and would worsen nutritional intake; clients with xerostomia should sip fluids throughout meals to help moisten food and facilitate swallowing. Encouraging peanut butter crackers as a snack is inappropriate because dry, sticky foods such as peanut butter are difficult to swallow with an already dry mouth and can cause discomfort or aspiration risk. Increasing salt when preparing foods is not recommended because salt is drying and irritating to already compromised mucous membranes and could exacerbate xerostomia and discomfort. The goal is to provide moisture and comfort while maintaining adequate nutrition and oral hygiene.