A client with uterine cancer is being treated with internal radiation herapy (brachytherapy). What is the nurse's PRIORITY action when caring for this client?
Wear a dosimeter badge and lead apron when providing direct patient care.
Avoid placing a radiation sign at the entrance of the room for patient privacy
Alert family members that they should restrict their visiting to 60 minutes at a time.
Explain to the patient that she will continue to emit radiation for months after the implant is removed.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Wear a dosimeter badge and lead apron when providing direct patient care: When caring for a patient undergoing internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy), radiation safety is the nurse’s priority. The nurse must take measures to minimize radiation exposure by wearing protective equipment such as a dosimeter badge (to monitor exposure levels) and a lead apron (to shield against radiation). These precautions are critical to protect healthcare workers from potential radiation harm while caring for a patient with a radiation implant.
B) Avoid placing a radiation sign at the entrance of the room for patient privacy: Placing a radiation warning sign at the entrance of the room is a mandatory safety protocol when a patient is undergoing brachytherapy. This warning sign informs healthcare personnel and visitors that radiation is present, and it is important for ensuring safety. Patient privacy should not override radiation safety protocols.
C) Alert family members that they should restrict their visiting to 60 minutes at a time: While it is essential to inform family members about safety precautions when visiting a patient receiving radiation therapy, the priority action for the nurse is to ensure their own safety and radiation exposure first. Limiting family visits is an important step to reduce unnecessary exposure, but this is a secondary concern compared to the nurse's direct radiation safety measures.
D) Explain to the patient that she will continue to emit radiation for months after the implant is removed: The patient will continue emitting radiation only for a short period after the implant is removed. The duration of radiation emission depends on the type of radioactive material used in brachytherapy, but it is typically limited to a few days or weeks at most. In most cases, the nurse would explain to the patient that, after the implant is removed, radiation emission will cease.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Bradycardia:
Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to manage the symptoms of Parkinson's disease by blocking the action of acetylcholine. While anticholinergic medications can affect heart rate, bradycardia is not a common side effect of benztropine. In fact, benztropine may have the opposite effect, potentially causing tachycardia (increased heart rate).
B) Excess salivation:
Excessive salivation is typically a symptom of Parkinson's disease itself, due to difficulty swallowing, rather than a side effect of benztropine. In fact, benztropine, as an anticholinergic agent, generally reduces salivation (anticholinergic effect), so this side effect is unlikely to occur with benztropine therapy.
C) Urinary retention:
Benztropine, being an anticholinergic drug, can inhibit the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors in the bladder, leading to urinary retention. This is a common and serious side effect of anticholinergic drugs like benztropine. Urinary retention can lead to discomfort, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and kidney problems if not addressed.
D) Diarrhea:
Benztropine is more likely to cause constipation rather than diarrhea due to its anticholinergic effects. Anticholinergic medications often slow down gastrointestinal motility, leading to constipation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Digoxin:
The client’s symptoms of confusion, vision disturbances (such as yellow halos around lights), and anorexia are all classic signs of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, is commonly used in the treatment of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. However, it has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that even slightly elevated blood levels can lead to toxicity. Other common symptoms of digoxin toxicity include bradycardia (which the client is also experiencing with a pulse of 53 bpm), nausea, and vomiting.
B) Diltiazem:
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension, angina, and atrial fibrillation. While it can cause bradycardia (as evidenced by the client’s pulse of 53 bpm), vision disturbances and anorexia are not typical side effects of this medication. More common side effects include hypotension, edema, and constipation.
C) Propranolol:
Propranolol is a beta-blocker used to treat hypertension, arrhythmias, and angina, as well as to prevent migraines. Bradycardia is a known side effect of beta-blockers, but vision disturbances and anorexia are not typical of propranolol. Moreover, propranolol can cause hypotension and fatigue but would not be as likely to cause the specific symptoms of confusion and vision changes seen in this client.
D) Captopril:
Captopril is an ACE inhibitor commonly used to treat hypertension and heart failure. Common side effects include hypotension, dizziness, and hyperkalemia, but vision disturbances and anorexia are not typical side effects of captopril. The symptoms the client is experiencing are more specific to digoxin toxicity than to captopril's side effects.
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