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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
This statement is not correct. Gliomas are malignant brain tumors that arise from neuroglial tissue and may cause various neurological deficits depending on their location and size, but they do not typically affect vision or reading ability.
Choice B reason:
This statement is not correct. Meningiomas are benign brain tumors that develop from the meninges and may cause severe headaches that are worse in the morning, seizures, or cranial nerve dysfunction, but they do not typically affect vision or reading ability.
Choice C reason:
This statement is correct, as explained above.
Choice D reason:
This statement is not correct. Acoustic neuromas are benign brain tumors that arise from the acoustic cranial nerve and may cause hearing loss or ringing in the ears, vertigo, facial drooping, or difficulty swallowing, but they do not typically affect vision or reading ability.
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.
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