Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Nursing Practice Test

Which of the following is NOT a potential late effect of radiation therapy on the skin?

1. Necrosis

2. Fibrosis

3. Oligospermia

4. Basal cell carcinoma

The correct answer is: Oligospermia

Oligospermia, which refers to a lower than normal sperm count, is primarily associated with impacts on male reproductive health rather than being a direct late effect of radiation therapy on the skin. Radiation therapy can lead to various skin changes due to the targeted exposure of skin tissues, including necrosis, fibrosis, and the potential for the development of secondary malignancies such as basal cell carcinoma. Necrosis occurs when the tissues die due to insufficient blood supply, often as a result of radiation damage. Fibrosis signifies the thickening and scarring of tissue, commonly seen as a response to the healing process following radiation exposure. Basal cell carcinoma is a skin cancer that can develop due to cumulative radiation exposure. In contrast, the relationship between oligospermia and radiation is more associated with the exposure of the reproductive organs rather than skin-specific effects. Hence, oligospermia is not a late effect of radiation therapy on the skin.