What side effects should a nurse expect in a client undergoing radiation therapy for a brain tumor?

When caring for a client undergoing radiation therapy for a brain tumor, it is important to understand the common side effects associated with this treatment. Alopecia, or hair loss, is a known and expected outcome because radiation can damage hair follicles, particularly in the area being treated. Dizziness may occur due to various factors, including effects on the central nervous system from the radiation, changes in intracranial pressure, or the tumor itself.

The other options present side effects that are either less directly linked to radiation therapy for a brain tumor or are not typical consequences of this type of treatment. Nausea and vomiting are more commonly associated with chemotherapy rather than radiation therapy. Fatigue is a commonly reported side effect of many cancer treatments, including radiation, but hair growth is not expected during therapy; instead, hair loss is more typical. Skin rashes and fever may occur, but they are not characteristic side effects specifically tied to brain radiation therapy.

Thus, the combination of alopecia and dizziness directly relates to the nature of radiation therapy for brain tumors, making it the most accurate representation of expected side effects.