Which finding indicates the presence of xerostomia?

Which finding indicates the presence of xerostomia?

• A. Mucosa is dry and friable
• B. Excess pooling of saliva on the floor of the mouth
• C. Healthy pink mucosa
• D. Ulcers on the tongue

Answer: (A)

Xerostomia results from reduced saliva, so the key sign is a mucosa that is dry and friable. When saliva is scarce, the tissues lack lubrication and moisture, becoming dry, less supple, and more prone to cracking and irritation. This dryness is the most direct indicator of diminished salivary flow. Excess pooling of saliva would point toward normal or increased salivation, not xerostomia. Healthy pink mucosa suggests normal moisture and tissue condition. Ulcers on the tongue can arise from numerous causes—trauma, infection, nutritional factors—and don't specifically indicate reduced saliva by themselves.

Xerostomia results from reduced saliva, so the key sign is a mucosa that is dry and friable. When saliva is scarce, the tissues lack lubrication and moisture, becoming dry, less supple, and more prone to cracking and irritation. This dryness is the most direct indicator of diminished salivary flow.

Excess pooling of saliva would point toward normal or increased salivation, not xerostomia. Healthy pink mucosa suggests normal moisture and tissue condition. Ulcers on the tongue can arise from numerous causes—trauma, infection, nutritional factors—and don't specifically indicate reduced saliva by themselves.