Question

A nurse is planning care for a client who has a sealed radiation implant for cervical cancer. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

a) Administer laxatives to prevent constipation
b) Encourage high-fiber diet to prevent diarrhea
c) Limit visitor contact to 15 minutes per hour
d) Apply warm compress to the radiation site for comfort

Answer 1

The correct intervention in the care plan for a patient with a sealed radiation implant for cervical cancer is to limit visitor contact to 15 minutes per hour to reduce radiation exposure.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a client who has a sealed radiation implant for cervical cancer, specific precautions are necessary to protect both the patient and others from the effects of radiation. The intervention to include in the plan of care is to limit visitor contact to 15 minutes per hour. This is in accordance with radiation protection measures that aim to minimize the time spent in a radiation environment, as less time means less exposure. Other recommendations, such as applying a warm compress to the radiation site, are not advisable due to the potential for disturbing the implant. A high-fiber diet to prevent diarrhea may be beneficial, but the question regarding prevention is for constipation, not diarrhea. Lastly, while laxatives could be offered if the patient experiences constipation, it is not a direct intervention related to the sealed radiation implant itself.