A nurse is caring for a client who is near the end of life and is on complete bed rest.
The client states that he needs to have a bowel movement and the nurse offers a bedpan.
The client states, "I've always used the bathroom." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Answer is c. Keep visitors at least 6 feet (1.8 m) away from the client.

a. Place the client's soiled bed linens in a biohazard bag outside the client's room: While it is essential to follow standard precautions for handling potentially contaminated linens, soiled bed linens from a client undergoing brachytherapy do not require special handling in a biohazard bag unless contaminated with blood or bodily fluids. Brachytherapy involves the internal placement of radioactive sources near or within the tumor site, but the risk of contamination from bodily fluids is minimal. Therefore, soiled linens can be managed according to standard facility protocols for handling linens.

b. Wear an isolation gown when caring for the client: This option is incorrect because wearing an isolation gown is not necessary for radiation safety during brachytherapy. Radiation exposure is primarily managed through the use of lead aprons, gloves, and other shielding devices when directly handling radioactive sources or being in close proximity to the client during treatment sessions. Isolation gowns are typically used to prevent the spread of infection and are not specifically designed to shield against radiation exposure.

c. Keep visitors at least 6 feet (1.8 m) away from the client: Correct. This action minimizes radiation exposure to visitors, as brachytherapy involves the internal placement of radioactive material near or within the tumor site. Maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) from the client helps reduce the risk of radiation exposure to visitors while allowing them to provide support and companionship to the client. Visitors should also be informed about radiation safety precautions and instructed to limit their time spent near the client during treatment.

d. Discard the radioactive source in the client's trash can: This option is incorrect because radioactive sources used in brachytherapy must be handled and disposed of by trained personnel following established radiation safety protocols. Disposing of radioactive material in a client's regular trash can poses significant risks of exposure to others and is not permitted. Proper disposal procedures for radioactive sources involve packaging them in approved containers and returning them to the facility's radiation safety department for appropriate disposal or recycling.

In summary, the correct answer is c because keeping visitors at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) away from the client helps minimize their radiation exposure during brachytherapy, which involves the internal placement of radioactive material near or within the tumor site. This action aligns with radiation safety principles and helps protect both the client and visitors from unnecessary radiation exposure.

The correct answer is choice d. Privately interview the client about the injuries.

Choice A rationale:

Contacting the family regarding the client’s condition might not be appropriate if the family is suspected of being involved in the abuse. It could potentially put the client at further risk.

Choice B rationale:

Notifying risk management is important for documentation and internal review, but it does not directly address the immediate need to assess and ensure the client’s safety.

Choice C rationale:

Informing the transferring agency of the client’s condition is necessary for continuity of care, but it does not address the immediate need to investigate the cause of the injuries and ensure the client’s safety.

Choice D rationale:

Privately interviewing the client about the injuries allows the nurse to gather more information about the cause of the injuries in a safe and confidential manner. This step is crucial in assessing the situation and determining if further action, such as reporting to authorities, is needed. It ensures the client’s safety and helps in identifying any potential abuse.