In patients receiving radiation or chemotherapy, which adverse effect is most likely due to damage to rapidly dividing cells?

• A. Hair loss
• B. Oral mucositis, nausea, vomiting, and bone marrow suppression
• C. Hypertension
• D. Weight gain

Answer: (B)

Chemotherapy and radiation harm cells that divide quickly, so tissues with high turnover are the first to show toxicity. The lining of the mouth and GI tract, bone marrow, and hair follicles are all rapidly renewing, making them especially vulnerable. When these tissues are damaged, you see mucosal injury (oral mucositis) with pain and ulcers, nausea and vomiting from GI tract involvement, and bone marrow suppression leading to reduced blood cell counts. Hair loss is also common for the same reason, since hair follicles are continually renewing. Among the options, the combination of oral mucositis, nausea/vomiting, and bone marrow suppression best reflects damage to rapidly dividing cells, while hypertension or weight gain are not typical effects of this mechanism.