I can't comment on chemical burns but practically all of us had mouth sores which are to expected (which is SOP with Cisplatin), as well as weight loss (I lost 61 lbs during Tx). Hospitals have different rules as you are finding out. It's best to stay out of them if you can. The nurse was just doing her job - some meds can be fatal if crushed (especially if they are time release) so they have to follow the doctors orders explicitly. I would take the doctor to task for not writing crushing the pill for PEG use in his chart (or better yet, ordering a liquid form of Zanax to begin with). Morphine comes in a liquid form as well. You measure it with a syringe.

If he needs fluids, have it done in the infusion unit - you'll be in and out in an hour and have a lot less exposure to sick people.

If his pain is getting up there he should be on something stronger, like Oxycontin or Duragesic 72 hr patches with Morphine for breakthrough pain.

It takes a lot of patience for you and him to get through this. It'll be one of the most difficult time in your lives.