Question

The nurse is caring for a client with a radium implant for the treatment of cervical cancer. While caring for the client with a radioactive implant, the nurse should:

Provide emotional support by spending additional time with the client.
Stand at the foot of the bed when talking to the client.
Avoid handling items used by the client.
Wear a badge to monitor the amount of time spent in the client's room.

Answer 1

The nurse should minimize time spent in proximity to the patient, avoid standing at the foot of the bed unnecessarily, handle items with precautions, and wear a dosimeter to monitor radiation exposure.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a client with a radium implant for the treatment of cervical cancer, it is crucial to maintain safety protocols due to the radioactive nature of the implant. While emotional support is important, the nurse should limit the time spent in close proximity to the patient to minimize radiation exposure. The nurse should not stand at the foot of the bed when talking to the client if it is not necessary; instead, they can use other methods to communicate, such as intercoms or making conversations brief and to the point while in the room. Handling items used by the client may require precautions to avoid contamination, and it is essential to wear a badge, also known as a dosimeter, to monitor the amount of radiation exposure. This helps ensure the radiation safety standards are adhered to, protecting health workers from overexposure.