Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

After radiation therapy, one typical manifestation concerning changes in skin texture is red or tan pigmented skin. This response occurs because radiation can lead to an inflammatory reaction in the skin, causing alterations in pigmentation. Erythema, often seen as red, can develop shortly after treatment, followed by potential tan or brown pigmentation changes as the skin heals. The process is part of the skin's response to injury and is commonly observed in patients undergoing radiation therapy.

The other options do not accurately reflect typical changes after radiation therapy. Increased oiliness is not a common reaction; instead, patients may experience dryness. Darkened moles may not be directly related to radiation, and thickened epidermis is not a typical manifesting sign, as radiation generally causes more superficial damage leading to thinning and sensitivity rather than thickening. Thus, the skin's response to radiation therapy primarily results in pigmentation changes, making red or tan pigmented skin the expected outcome.