Radiation Therapy Nursing Flashcards

What is the primary mechanism by which ionizing radiation destroys cancer cells?

Answer: Inducing DNA strand breaks that lead to cell death

Ionizing radiation damages DNA by causing single- and double-strand breaks, which prevents cancer cells from replicating and leads to apoptosis.

Which type of radiation therapy delivers treatment from a source located outside the patient's body?

Answer: External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) uses a machine located outside the body to direct radiation beams at the tumor site.

A patient undergoing radiation therapy to the chest develops a dry, desquamating skin reaction at the treatment site. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

Answer: Gently cleanse with mild soap and water and apply a recommended moisturizer

Gentle cleansing with mild soap and water followed by a radiation-approved moisturizer minimizes irritation and supports skin integrity during radiation-induced dermatitis.

What does fractionation in radiation therapy mean?

Answer: Dividing the total radiation dose into smaller doses given over multiple sessions

Fractionation divides the total prescribed radiation dose into multiple smaller fractions delivered over days or weeks to allow normal tissue repair between treatments.

Which radiation therapy technique uses multiple precisely aimed beams to deliver a high dose to a small tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue?

Answer: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) delivers highly precise, high-dose radiation to a small target in a single or few sessions, sparing adjacent normal tissue.

What is brachytherapy?

Answer: Placement of radioactive sources directly inside or adjacent to the tumor

Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive implants (seeds, wires, or catheters) directly within or next to the tumor to deliver a concentrated local dose.

What is the primary purpose of a radiation therapy simulation appointment?

Answer: To identify and map the treatment field, verify patient positioning, and create immobilization devices

Simulation is a planning session in which the radiation oncology team uses imaging to delineate the tumor, design the treatment field, and fabricate immobilization devices for reproducibility.