Radiation Therapy in Pediatric Oncology Flashcards
7 cards from real CPHON practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Radiation Therapy in Pediatric Oncology flashcards as text
Regarding radiation safety, which statement is correct about pregnant nurses and patients receiving internal brachytherapy implants?
Answer: Pregnant nurses should avoid caring for patients with active brachytherapy implants entirely
Pregnant nurses should not care for patients with active brachytherapy implants because ionizing radiation poses a risk of harm to the developing fetus at any exposure level.
A child who received cranial radiation therapy at age 4 is most at risk for which long-term neurocognitive deficit?
Answer: Decline in processing speed and working memory
Cranial irradiation commonly damages developing white matter pathways, leading to deficits in processing speed, attention, and working memory, particularly when administered to young children.
Which skin care instruction should the nurse provide to parents of a child receiving radiation therapy to the chest?
Answer: Gently cleanse the area with mild, unscented soap and lukewarm water
Gentle cleansing with mild, unscented soap and lukewarm water maintains skin hygiene without causing additional irritation to radiation-sensitized skin.
Radiation therapy directed to the thorax in a pediatric oncology patient most commonly causes which acute pulmonary complication?
Answer: Radiation pneumonitis
Radiation pneumonitis typically develops 4–12 weeks after thoracic irradiation and presents with cough, dyspnea, and low-grade fever due to acute inflammatory injury.
What is the priority nursing assessment for a child who has received total body irradiation (TBI) as part of a bone marrow transplant conditioning regimen?
Answer: Monitor for acute radiation syndrome including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mucositis
TBI causes systemic acute radiation syndrome, manifesting as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mucositis that require intensive monitoring and aggressive supportive care.
Which dietary recommendation is most appropriate for a child experiencing radiation-induced mucositis affecting the mouth and throat?
Answer: Soft, bland, cool foods that minimize irritation and are easy to swallow
Soft, bland, and cool foods minimize mechanical and chemical irritation to inflamed mucous membranes and reduce pain during swallowing.
A pediatric patient receiving abdominal radiation reports sudden onset of severe, worsening abdominal pain with a board-like rigid abdomen. What is the nurse's priority action?
Answer: Notify the physician immediately as this may indicate bowel perforation or obstruction
Sudden severe abdominal pain with rigidity is a potential sign of bowel perforation or obstruction—a rare but life-threatening complication of abdominal radiation requiring immediate medical evaluation.