Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Nursing Practice Test

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a known late complication following stem cell transplantation. While acute GVHD can occur in the early phase post-transplant, chronic GVHD typically develops months to years after the procedure. This condition arises when the donated immune cells (graft) recognize the recipient's (host) tissues as foreign and mounts an immune response against them. The symptoms can manifest in various organs, including skin, liver, and lungs, leading to significant morbidity and a potential decrease in quality of life for affected patients.

The timing and nature of chronic GVHD distinguish it from other complications such as nephrotoxicity, which may occur due to medications used during or after transplantation but is not exclusive to the transplant itself. Acute GVHD happens soon after the graft procedure and is not classified as a late complication. Myelosuppression, characterized by decreased blood cell production, typically occurs early in the post-transplant period due to the high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy used before the transplant. Therefore, the defining characteristics and timing of chronic GVHD make it the correct answer in defining a late complication of stem cell transplantation.