Nursing Exam Review Multiple Choice Mrs. Dwyer is a 48-year-old patient who is undergoing radiation therapy for uterine cancer. She complains of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and has experienced significant weight loss. The nurse recognizes that the likely cause of Mrs. Dwyer's symptoms is:

Question

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Mrs. Dwyer's symptoms are likely caused by radiation enteritis, which is inflammation of the small intestine due to radiation therapy. This can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. Option A (tissue rejection) is not a likely cause as Mrs. Dwyer is not receiving a transplant. Option C (steatorrhea) is not likely as Mrs. Dwyer's symptoms do not indicate malabsorption. Option D (mental stress) may exacerbate symptoms, but is not the primary cause. Option E (inadequate gastric secretions) is also unlikely as Mrs. Dwyer's symptoms suggest the small intestine is affected, not the stomach.