Final answer:
PN nurses caring for patients with gold seed implants from brachytherapy must observe radiation safety precautions, which include limiting exposure time, maintaining distance, and using shielding. Brachytherapy involves radioactive seeds that can make the patient emit radiation until the isotopes decay to safe levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The PN nurse administering care to a client with gold seed implants for a chest wall tumor must observe precautions due to the patient’s exposure to radiation. These precautions include limiting the time spent in close proximity to the patient, maintaining a safe distance when possible, and using shielding methods such as lead aprons. The surgical team, including the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional, should review concerns for recovery and care aloud to ensure all are aware of the necessary precautions. When handling patients undergoing brachytherapy, it’s important to understand that these patients can emit radiation because of the radioactive seeds implanted in their bodies.
In the case of brachytherapy that uses permanent radioactive seeds, the patient may emit radiation for some time until the isotopes, such as iodine-125 or palladium-103 with specific half-lives, decay to non-hazardous levels. The seeds' short half-life and the localization of the radiation to the tumor site minimize the risk to others after treatment is completed. Despite this, specific safety procedures must be followed to ensure the safety of healthcare providers and others who may come into contact with the patient during the time the seeds are active.