A nurse is evaluating a client who has a brain tumor and received radiation therapy. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as a sign of radiation necrosis? (Select all that apply.)
New onset of seizures
Increased intracranial pressure
Hair loss at the radiation site
Cognitive impairment
Skin erythema at the radiation site
Correct Answer : A,B,D
Choice A reason:
This statement is true. New onset of seizures is a sign of radiation necrosis, which is a delayed complication of radiation therapy that occurs when normal brain tissue dies due to radiation exposure. Radiation necrosis can cause neurological deficits such as seizures by affecting the function of different areas of the brain and disrupting the electrical activity of neurons.
Choice B reason:
This statement is true. Increased intracranial pressure is a sign of radiation necrosis, which is a delayed complication of radiation therapy that occurs when normal brain tissue dies due to radiation exposure. Radiation necrosis can cause increased intracranial pressure by applying pressure to surrounding brain tissue and impairing cerebral blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid drainage.
Choice C reason:
This statement is false. Hair loss at the radiation site is not a sign of radiation necrosis, but a common side effect of radiation therapy that occurs when hair follicles are damaged by radiation exposure. Hair loss at the radiation site is usually temporary and reversible.
Choice D reason:
This statement is true. Cognitive impairment is a sign of radiation necrosis, which is a delayed complication of radiation therapy that occurs when normal brain tissue dies due to radiation exposure. Radiation necrosis can cause cognitive impairment such as memory loss, confusion, or dementia by affecting the function of different areas of the brain and disrupting the cognitive processes.
Choice E reason:
This statement is false. Skin erythema at the radiation site is not a sign of radiation necrosis, but a common side effect of radiation therapy that occurs when skin cells are damaged by radiation exposure. Skin erythema at the radiation site is usually mild and self-limiting.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
This statement is true, as explained above.
Choice B reason:
This statement is not an adverse effect of chemotherapy, but of the brain tumor itself. Brain tumors can cause cerebral edema by applying pressure to surrounding brain tissue and impairing cerebral blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid drainage.
Choice C reason:
This statement is not an adverse effect of chemotherapy, but of the brain tumor itself. Brain tumors can cause increased intracranial pressure by applying pressure to surrounding brain tissue and impairing cerebral blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid drainage.
Choice D reason:
This statement is not an adverse effect of chemotherapy, but of the brain tumor itself. Brain tumors can cause seizures by affecting the function of different areas of the brain and disrupting the electrical activity of neurons.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
This statement is not indicative of a meningioma, but of a pituitary adenoma, which is a benign brain tumor that grows from the pituitary gland and may cause endocrine dysfunction such as diabetes insipidus (excessive thirst and urination).
Choice B reason:
This statement is not indicative of a meningioma, but of an acoustic neuroma, which is a benign brain tumor that arises from the acoustic cranial nerve and may cause hearing loss or ringing in the ears.
Choice C reason:
This statement is indicative of a meningioma, as explained above.
Choice D reason:
This statement is not indicative of a meningioma, but of a supratentorial tumor, which occurs in the cerebral hemispheres above the tentorium cerebelli and may cause loss of voluntary movement or hemiparesis (weakness or numbness on one side of the body).
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