An oral self-care protocol, grounded in Orem's Self-Care Deficit theory and incorporating self-care behaviors, was implemented for the patients in the treatment group. The protocol consisted of several components, including the assessment of oral mucositis by the researcher and self-assessment of the oral cavity by the patients. It also involved oral care, teaching proper tooth brushing techniques, providing written materials, supplying an oral care kit, and offering patient and family education.

The control group consisted of a total of 30 patients who met the selection criteria, willingly participated in the study, and were randomly assigned based on a predetermined randomization list. In the control group, the investigator did not administer any specific oral care intervention. Instead, the patients received standard nursing care provided at the clinic to prevent oral mucositis. Moreover, all patients in the control group were given the same mouthwashes (Benzydamine and Mycostatin) as those in the treatment group. However, the frequency and timing of oral care varied among the nurses in the clinic due to differences in work load and individual experience.

An oral self-care protocol, grounded in Orem's Self-Care Deficit theory and incorporating self-care behaviors, was implemented for the patients in the treatment group. The protocol consisted of several components, including the assessment of oral mucositis by the researcher and self-assessment of the oral cavity by the patients. It also involved teaching proper tooth brushing techniques, providing written materials, supplying an oral care kit, and offering patient and family education. Interventions were made for 21 days from the beginning of chemotherapy treatment.

to assess oral mucositis severity. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies oral mucositis into different grades: grade 0 indicates no issues with the oral mucosa; grade 1 signifies mild local changes such as erythema and inflammation, with the ability to consume oral food; grade 2 involves mild pain, along with erythema, edema, inflammation, or ulcers, allowing unrestricted eating; grade 3 denotes painful erythema, edema, or ulcers without bleeding, necessitating a liquid food diet; and grade 4 represents extensive mucositis, severe pain, and bleeding, rendering oral feeding impossible.

assess their oral condition on a daily basis and serves as a valuable tool for monitoring the progression of mucositis and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. This guide encompasses eight categories: voice, swallowing, lips, tongue, saliva, mucous membranes, gums, and teeth or dentures. Each category is assigned numerical values of 1, 2, or 3, representing normal findings (1 point) to severe findings (3 points). The cumulative score for all eight categories ranges from 8 points, indicating normal findings, to 24 points, denoting severe changes. A higher score indicates an increased risk of developing mucositis.