Nursing 354 Radiation Therapy Nursing
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient receiving external-beam radiation therapy asks why treatments
are usually given over several weeks. What is the nurse's best response?
A. Radiation must be given continuously to be effective.
B. Multiple treatments allow healthy tissue time to recover between doses.
C. Radiation only works when administered once every month.
D. Daily treatments prevent all radiation-related adverse effects.
Answer: B. Multiple treatments allow healthy tissue time to recover between
doses.
Rationale: Fractionated radiation therapy divides the total radiation dose into
smaller treatments, allowing normal tissues time to repair while maintaining
tumor-control effectiveness.
2. Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to monitor in a
patient receiving radiation therapy?
A. Hair color
B. Skin integrity in the treatment field
C. Nail length
D. Visual acuity only
,Answer: B. Skin integrity in the treatment field
Rationale: Radiation can cause erythema, dryness, irritation, and other skin
reactions within the treatment field.
3. A patient receiving radiation to the head and neck reports difficulty
swallowing. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage spicy foods.
B. Encourage soft, moist foods as tolerated.
C. Restrict all oral fluids.
D. Encourage acidic beverages.
Answer: B. Encourage soft, moist foods as tolerated.
Rationale: Dysphagia and mucosal irritation may occur with head-and-neck
radiation. Soft, moist foods can reduce discomfort and support nutritional
intake.
4. Which instruction should the nurse provide regarding skin care during
external-beam radiation therapy?
A. Apply heating pads to the treatment area.
B. Scrub the treatment area vigorously each day.
C. Use gentle skin care and avoid irritating products.
D. Apply adhesive tape directly over the treatment field.
Answer: C. Use gentle skin care and avoid irritating products.
Rationale: The irradiated skin is vulnerable to irritation and should be handled
gently. Heat, friction, harsh chemicals, and adhesives can worsen skin injury.
5. Which statement by a patient indicates correct understanding of external
radiation therapy?
A. "I will remain radioactive after every treatment."
B. "I can safely be around other people after external treatment."
C. "I must avoid all contact with family members."
D. "I need to sleep in a separate room indefinitely."
,Answer: B. "I can safely be around other people after external treatment."
Rationale: External-beam radiation does not make the patient radioactive after
the treatment session because the radiation source is outside the body.
6. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with radiation therapy?
A. Fatigue
B. Permanent hypertension
C. Increased bone density
D. Hyperactivity
Answer: A. Fatigue
Rationale: Fatigue is one of the most common adverse effects of radiation
therapy and may increase as treatment progresses.
7. A patient receiving radiation therapy reports increasing fatigue. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage activity balanced with rest.
B. Recommend complete bed rest.
C. Tell the patient fatigue is unrelated to treatment.
D. Encourage strenuous exercise several times daily.
Answer: A. Encourage activity balanced with rest.
Rationale: Energy conservation, adequate nutrition, sleep, and appropriately
paced activity can help patients manage treatment-related fatigue.
8. Why should the nurse avoid applying lotions or creams to a radiation
treatment site unless approved by the radiation team?
A. They permanently prevent radiation from reaching the tumor.
B. Some products may irritate the skin or interfere with treatment.
C. All moisturizers cause infection.
D. They cause immediate radiation poisoning.
Answer: B. Some products may irritate the skin or interfere with treatment.
, Rationale: Products used on irradiated skin should be approved by the radiation
oncology team because certain ingredients may increase irritation or affect
treatment planning.
9. Which symptom should a patient receiving chest radiation report promptly?
A. Mild temporary fatigue
B. New or worsening difficulty breathing
C. Mild sleepiness
D. Temporary decreased appetite
Answer: B. New or worsening difficulty breathing
Rationale: Respiratory changes may indicate pulmonary complications and
require prompt evaluation.
10.A patient receiving radiation to the abdomen has diarrhea. What is an
appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Encourage hydration and monitor electrolyte status.
B. Encourage large amounts of caffeine.
C. Restrict all fluids.
D. Recommend highly spicy foods.
Answer: A. Encourage hydration and monitor electrolyte status.
Rationale: Radiation involving the gastrointestinal tract can cause diarrhea,
increasing the risk for dehydration and electrolyte disturbances.
11.Which nursing assessment is especially important before radiation therapy
begins?
A. Baseline skin condition
B. Shoe size
C. Hair texture only
D. Hand dominance only
Answer: A. Baseline skin condition
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient receiving external-beam radiation therapy asks why treatments
are usually given over several weeks. What is the nurse's best response?
A. Radiation must be given continuously to be effective.
B. Multiple treatments allow healthy tissue time to recover between doses.
C. Radiation only works when administered once every month.
D. Daily treatments prevent all radiation-related adverse effects.
Answer: B. Multiple treatments allow healthy tissue time to recover between
doses.
Rationale: Fractionated radiation therapy divides the total radiation dose into
smaller treatments, allowing normal tissues time to repair while maintaining
tumor-control effectiveness.
2. Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to monitor in a
patient receiving radiation therapy?
A. Hair color
B. Skin integrity in the treatment field
C. Nail length
D. Visual acuity only
,Answer: B. Skin integrity in the treatment field
Rationale: Radiation can cause erythema, dryness, irritation, and other skin
reactions within the treatment field.
3. A patient receiving radiation to the head and neck reports difficulty
swallowing. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage spicy foods.
B. Encourage soft, moist foods as tolerated.
C. Restrict all oral fluids.
D. Encourage acidic beverages.
Answer: B. Encourage soft, moist foods as tolerated.
Rationale: Dysphagia and mucosal irritation may occur with head-and-neck
radiation. Soft, moist foods can reduce discomfort and support nutritional
intake.
4. Which instruction should the nurse provide regarding skin care during
external-beam radiation therapy?
A. Apply heating pads to the treatment area.
B. Scrub the treatment area vigorously each day.
C. Use gentle skin care and avoid irritating products.
D. Apply adhesive tape directly over the treatment field.
Answer: C. Use gentle skin care and avoid irritating products.
Rationale: The irradiated skin is vulnerable to irritation and should be handled
gently. Heat, friction, harsh chemicals, and adhesives can worsen skin injury.
5. Which statement by a patient indicates correct understanding of external
radiation therapy?
A. "I will remain radioactive after every treatment."
B. "I can safely be around other people after external treatment."
C. "I must avoid all contact with family members."
D. "I need to sleep in a separate room indefinitely."
,Answer: B. "I can safely be around other people after external treatment."
Rationale: External-beam radiation does not make the patient radioactive after
the treatment session because the radiation source is outside the body.
6. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with radiation therapy?
A. Fatigue
B. Permanent hypertension
C. Increased bone density
D. Hyperactivity
Answer: A. Fatigue
Rationale: Fatigue is one of the most common adverse effects of radiation
therapy and may increase as treatment progresses.
7. A patient receiving radiation therapy reports increasing fatigue. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage activity balanced with rest.
B. Recommend complete bed rest.
C. Tell the patient fatigue is unrelated to treatment.
D. Encourage strenuous exercise several times daily.
Answer: A. Encourage activity balanced with rest.
Rationale: Energy conservation, adequate nutrition, sleep, and appropriately
paced activity can help patients manage treatment-related fatigue.
8. Why should the nurse avoid applying lotions or creams to a radiation
treatment site unless approved by the radiation team?
A. They permanently prevent radiation from reaching the tumor.
B. Some products may irritate the skin or interfere with treatment.
C. All moisturizers cause infection.
D. They cause immediate radiation poisoning.
Answer: B. Some products may irritate the skin or interfere with treatment.
, Rationale: Products used on irradiated skin should be approved by the radiation
oncology team because certain ingredients may increase irritation or affect
treatment planning.
9. Which symptom should a patient receiving chest radiation report promptly?
A. Mild temporary fatigue
B. New or worsening difficulty breathing
C. Mild sleepiness
D. Temporary decreased appetite
Answer: B. New or worsening difficulty breathing
Rationale: Respiratory changes may indicate pulmonary complications and
require prompt evaluation.
10.A patient receiving radiation to the abdomen has diarrhea. What is an
appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Encourage hydration and monitor electrolyte status.
B. Encourage large amounts of caffeine.
C. Restrict all fluids.
D. Recommend highly spicy foods.
Answer: A. Encourage hydration and monitor electrolyte status.
Rationale: Radiation involving the gastrointestinal tract can cause diarrhea,
increasing the risk for dehydration and electrolyte disturbances.
11.Which nursing assessment is especially important before radiation therapy
begins?
A. Baseline skin condition
B. Shoe size
C. Hair texture only
D. Hand dominance only
Answer: A. Baseline skin condition
