A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) with a sealed implant for cervical cancer. Upon entering the room, the nurse discovers that the radioactive implant has become dislodged and is lying on the client's bed linens. Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?
- Use long-handled forceps to retrieve the implant and place it in a lead-lined container.Answer
- BDon sterile gloves and carefully reinsert the dislodged implant into the client.
- CInstruct an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to guard the room door while obtaining the lead container.
- DImmediately leave the room to notify the healthcare provider and the radiation safety officer.
Answer
The nurse should use long-handled forceps to pick up the dislodged radioactive implant and place it in the lead-lined container.
When a sealed radioactive implant becomes dislodged, the utmost priority is to limit radiation exposure to the client and staff based on the safety principles of time, distance, and shielding. The correct action is to use long-handled forceps (which increases distance) to retrieve the implant and immediately place it into a lead-lined container (which provides shielding). This emergency equipment must be kept in the client's room at all times during internal radiation therapy. Only after securing the radiation source should the nurse notify the radiation safety officer and the healthcare provider.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Safe handling of a dislodged sealed radioactive implant (brachytherapy) requires maximizing distance (using long-handled forceps) and utilizing shielding (lead-lined container) to minimize radiation exposure.