Radiation-induced reactions. 1: An examination of the phenomenon.
In this article, the first in a series of three, the author examines the phenomenon of radiation-induced skin reactions. This includes a description of the theoretical aspects of radiation and its effect on the skin, the prevalence and significance of skin reactions seen in clinical practice and a summary of the assessment tools that have been used in their evaluation. From this information, an analysis of the key signs and symptoms of radiation-induced skin reactions is presented. These clinical indicators and descriptors are then available to be used as the basis for the development of a comprehensive yet specific assessment tool. In part two, these descriptions are integrated into an assessment tool to measure radiation-induced skin reactions and the radiation-induced skin reaction assessment scale (RISRAS) is described. In part three the methods and results from the initial evaluation of the RISRAS are reported.
Noble-Adams
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Gynaecology Service, Christchurch Women's Hospital, New Zealand.
D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index