Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Selecting strictures as the correct answer highlights an important aspect of late effects from radiation therapy. Strictures in the urinary system occur due to damage to the tissues of the bladder, urethra, or other parts of the urinary tract during radiation treatment. These tissues can become fibrotic and narrow as a result, leading to obstruction and difficulties with urinary function.

This is particularly pertinent in patients who have undergone pelvic irradiation, where the urinary tract is directly affected. Strictures can lead to significant complications, including urinary retention, infections, and the need for surgical intervention.

Other choices represent adverse effects but are not classified as typical late effects of radiation therapy concerning the urinary system. Necrosis can occur, but it is usually associated with acute complications rather than as a delayed effect. Oligospermia is more related to radiation effects on the male reproductive system, and while hyperpigmentation can occur in irradiated skin, it does not pertain directly to urinary system effects. Thus, the choice of strictures aligns more closely with the expected late effects of radiation therapy on the urinary system.