A female client with cancer is scheduled for radiation therapy. Which adverse effect should the nurse prepare the client to expect?

• A. Hair loss
• B. Stomatitis
• C. Fatigue
• D. Vomiting

Answer: (C)

Fatigue is the most common and expected adverse effect of radiation therapy because the body uses energy to repair normal tissues damaged by treatment and to cope with cancer-related stress. This energy demand can leave a patient feeling unusually tired, and the fatigue often builds over the course of therapy, potentially affecting activity, sleep, and mood. Other effects—hair loss, stomatitis, and vomiting—can occur too, but they depend on the specific area being treated and the dose. Hair loss happens if the scalp is in the radiation field; stomatitis occurs when the mouth or throat is irradiated; vomiting is more likely with abdominal or GI tract irradiation. So, the best counselor point is to prepare for fatigue, with tips on energy conservation, scheduling rest and activity, good nutrition and hydration, and monitoring for worsening fatigue or new symptoms that might require further evaluation.