Side Effects and Complications from Radiation and Nursing Management

By and large as technology has improved, radiation is safer than before and in most patients side effects can be minimized and treated more effectively. Unfortunately any organ or tissue in the body can be damaged by radiation and it's important to realize there are risks associated with high dose therapeutic radiation. There are certain dose guidelines that are considered 'safe' (go here.)

A complete discussion of side effects and treatment like hyperbaric oxygen or Trental is noted here. The most commonly treated areas and associated risks and side effects are noted below, along with nursing instruction sheets. abdomen/pelvis bone brain breast eye heart lung mouth/ throat    pelvis (female) pelvis (male) skin