Question

While caring for a client with cervical cancer, the nurse notes that the radioactive implant is lying in the bed. The nurse should:

Place the implant in a biohazard bag and return it to the lab.
Give the client a pair of gloves and ask her to reinsert the implant.
Use tongs to pick up the implant and return it to a lead-lined container.
Discard the implant in the commode and double-flush.

Answer 1

The correct action for a nurse when a radioactive implant is found outside of the patient's body is to use tongs to return it to a lead-lined container, ensuring safety protocols are followed to minimize radiation exposure.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse encounters a situation where a radioactive implant used in brachytherapy falls out and is lying in the bed, the nurse should use tongs to carefully pick up the implant and place it back into a lead-lined container. It is important to follow strict safety protocols to minimize exposure to radiation. Under no circumstances should the nurse or the client touch the implant directly with their hands, nor should the implant be discarded in a commode or regular trash, as it is a radioactive material and requires proper containment and disposal.

Workers in radiation environments, such as those administering brachytherapy, typically wear protective clothing and use shielded containers to handle radioactive materials safely. As described, brachytherapy involves placing radioactive seeds or pellets directly at the site of the tumor, and these materials must be handled with care to avoid contamination or unnecessary exposure to radiation.