A nurse is caring for a client who has cervical cancer and is receiving brachytherapy.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A.
Limit time for visitors to 2 hr per day.
B.
Instruct visitors to remain 6 feet from the client.
C.
Discard the radioactive device in the client’s trash can.
D.
Keep soiled bed linens in the client’s room.
E.
Keep soiled bed linens in the client’s room.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Instruct visitors to remain 6 feet from the client.
Explanation:
Brachytherapy involves placing a radioactive source inside or very close to the treatment area. For cervical cancer, this typically means inserting radioactive materials into the vagina or cervix. This localized radiation aims to target cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. However, because the radioactive material is close to the surface and emits radiation, precautions are necessary to minimize exposure to others.
Here’s a detailed explanation of why option B is the correct choice and why the other options are not appropriate:
- Option B: Instruct visitors to remain 6 feet from the client.
- Rationale: Maintaining a safe distance is crucial because it reduces the amount of radiation exposure visitors receive. The distance helps protect them from the radiation that can escape from the brachytherapy source. Generally, a distance of at least 6 feet is recommended to minimize exposure for visitors and staff.
- Option A: Limit time for visitors to 2 hours per day.
- Rationale: While limiting time is a part of radiation safety protocols, the specific time limit of 2 hours per day is not a standard recommendation. Instead, it’s more important to focus on maintaining a safe distance and limiting the duration of exposure based on the situation, which is why the focus should be on distance.
- Option C: Discard the radioactive device in the client’s trash can.
- Rationale: This is incorrect and highly dangerous. Radioactive materials must be handled according to strict safety protocols and should be stored in designated containers for radioactive waste. Disposing of such materials in the trash can lead to contamination and unintended exposure.
- Option D: Keep soiled bed linens in the client’s room.
- Rationale: Bed linens and other items that come into contact with the patient should be handled with caution. However, soiled linens should not be left in the room indefinitely. They should be carefully managed and disposed of according to safety protocols to avoid contamination. The goal is to manage waste properly and reduce radiation exposure risks.
In summary, the most effective way to ensure safety around a patient undergoing brachytherapy is to instruct visitors to maintain a safe distance, as this directly minimizes their exposure to radiation.