Certified Radiology Nurse Practice Exam

Radiation burns are a recognized and common effect of radiation exposure. When an individual is exposed to high levels of radiation, whether from medical treatments, occupational exposure, or environmental sources, the skin and underlying tissues can sustain damage. This damage manifests as radiation burns, which can present as redness, blistering, or ulceration depending on the level and duration of exposure. Such burns can occur after localized exposure to radiation, as seen in patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer.

The other options, while they may seem plausible in certain contexts, do not conventionally relate to the primary effects of radiation exposure. Improved immune system function and increased muscle strength are not effects that would result from radiation exposure; in fact, radiation can often compromise the immune system. Short-term memory loss is similarly not a typical direct outcome of radiation exposure, although cognitive effects can arise from more extensive or prolonged exposure. Thus, the presence of radiation burns as a direct consequence of exposure makes it the most accurate choice.