A 32-year-old male patient who recently married is to undergo radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease.He expresses concern to the nurse about the effect of chemotherapy on his sexual function.What is the best response to the patient's concerns?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option D is the best response because it acknowledges the possibility of changes in sexual functioning due to radiation therapy and offers a proactive solution for the patient to consider pretreatment harvesting of sperm if he wants children. It is important to provide patients with accurate information and options for managing potential side effects of cancer treatment. Option A is incorrect because radiation therapy itself does not always lead to sterility, and it oversimplifies the potential impact of treatment on sexual function. Option B is incorrect because while temporary erectile dysfunction is a possible side effect of radiation therapy, it may not be the only change in sexual function that occurs. Option C is also incorrect because while radiation therapy may be less likely to cause sexual dysfunction than chemotherapy or surgical procedures, it is still a potential side effect and should be discussed with the patient.

A 32-Year-Old Male Patient Who Recently Married Is to Undergo