The nurse is caring for a client with uterine cancer who is being treated with brachytherapy. The UAP reports that the client ambulated to the restroom and is now reporting, "something feels like it’s coming out." What is the nurse's priority action?

Assess for dislodgement and use forceps to retrieve the dislodged pellets and place in the lead container.

Assess the patient's knowledge of the treatment plan and her willingness to participate.

Assess the UP's knowledge and explain the rationale for strict bed rest.

Notify the physician about the potential dislodgment of the radiation implant.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A) Assess for dislodgement and use forceps to retrieve the dislodged pellets and place in the lead container:
The priority action when a patient is receiving brachytherapy for uterine cancer is to assess for potential dislodgement of the radioactive implant. If the radiation source has been displaced, it must be handled carefully to prevent radiation exposure to the nurse, other patients, and staff. The nurse should use forceps to carefully retrieve the dislodged pellets and place them in a lead container to prevent contamination.

B) Assess the patient's knowledge of the treatment plan and her willingness to participate:
While it is important to assess the patient's understanding of the treatment plan and her willingness to participate, this is not the immediate priority in this situation. The nurse’s first priority is to address the potential risk of radiation exposure due to the dislodgement of the implant.

C) Assess the UAP's knowledge and explain the rationale for strict bed rest:
Although it is important for the nurse to ensure that all team members, including UAPs, understand the rationale for strict bed rest during brachytherapy, this action is not the most immediate priority in this scenario. The potential dislodgement of the radiation implant requires urgent assessment and intervention.

D) Notify the physician about the potential dislodgment of the radiation implant:
Notifying the physician about the dislodgement is an important step, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The immediate priority is to assess and secure the radiation implant using appropriate protocols. Once the dislodged pellets have been safely contained in the lead container, the nurse should then notify the physician for further guidance on the next steps in treatment or care.

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Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"C"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"B"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"C"}}

Explanation

Dysrhythmias	Transcutaneous Pacing	Defibrillation	Synchronized cardioversion
Unstable Supraventricular tachycardia			✔️
Unstable Bradycardia	✔️
Ventricular Fibrillation		✔️
Ventricular tachycardia with NO pulse		✔️
Unstable Atrial Flutter			✔️

Unstable Supraventricular Tachycardia: Synchronized Cardioversion

Unstable Bradycardia: Transcutaneous Pacing

Ventricular Fibrillation: Defibrillation

Ventricular Tachycardia with No Pulse: Defibrillation

Unstable Atrial Flutter: Synchronized Cardioversion

Rationales:

Unstable Supraventricular Tachycardia – Synchronized Cardioversion:

Synchronized cardioversion delivers a timed electrical shock to the heart during the R wave, avoiding the vulnerable T wave, which minimizes the risk of inducing ventricular fibrillation. This intervention is preferred for unstable SVT unresponsive to medications, as it restores normal sinus rhythm effectively.

Unstable Bradycardia – Transcutaneous Pacing:

Transcutaneous pacing provides electrical impulses to stimulate the heart when intrinsic conduction is insufficient. It is the recommended treatment for symptomatic bradycardia that does not respond to medications, ensuring adequate cardiac output while awaiting more definitive treatment.

Ventricular Fibrillation – Defibrillation:

Defibrillation delivers an unsynchronized shock to depolarize the entire myocardium, allowing the heart to reset and resume an organized rhythm. It is the first-line intervention for ventricular fibrillation, as the chaotic electrical activity makes the heart incapable of pumping blood.

Ventricular Tachycardia with No Pulse – Defibrillation:

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia requires defibrillation, as the rhythm is life-threatening and the absence of a pulse indicates the heart is not effectively pumping. This unsynchronized shock interrupts the abnormal rhythm, allowing normal sinus rhythm to potentially resume.

Unstable Atrial Flutter – Synchronized Cardioversion:

Synchronized cardioversion is used for unstable atrial flutter to restore sinus rhythm by delivering a precisely timed electrical shock. It is effective when pharmacological measures have not worked or are inappropriate, especially in cases of hemodynamic instability.

A. Continue to monitor as this is a normal response to the medication B. Administration of atropine C. Place the patient in the trendelenburg position D. Administer diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for the allergic reaction

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) Continue to monitor as this is a normal response to the medication: The symptoms the patient is experiencing (cramping, diaphoresis, increased oral secretions) are not normal responses to the edrophonium test and suggest a cholinergic crisis rather than a simple reaction to the medication. A cholinergic crisis occurs when there is overmedication with cholinergic drugs, leading to excessive stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. While mild effects like slight nausea or dizziness can occur, cramping, diaphoresis, and increased oral secretions indicate toxicity, requiring immediate intervention.

B) Administration of atropine: The symptoms the patient is exhibiting—cramping, diaphoresis, and increased oral secretions—are indicative of cholinergic toxicity. Edrophonium, a cholinesterase inhibitor, is used in the Tensilon test to diagnose myasthenia gravis by temporarily improving muscle strength. However, in some cases, the patient may experience a cholinergic crisis from an overdose of the medication, resulting in excess acetylcholine at synapses, which overstimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. Atropine, an anticholinergic agent, blocks the effects of acetylcholine and is used to reverse these symptoms by reducing the excessive parasympathetic activity (e.g., reducing secretions and improving heart rate).

C) Place the patient in the Trendelenburg position: The Trendelenburg position (head down, feet up) is often used in cases of shock to help increase venous return to the heart. However, it is not appropriate for a cholinergic crisis. The patient’s symptoms are not due to hypotension or shock but are related to an overdose of edrophonium causing parasympathetic overstimulation.

D) Administer diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for the allergic reaction: The symptoms the patient is experiencing (cramping, diaphoresis, increased oral secretions) are not related to an allergic reaction. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an antihistamine used for allergic reactions, such as urticaria or anaphylaxis, but it does not treat cholinergic toxicity.

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The nurse is caring for a client with uterine cancer who is being treated with brachytherapy. The UAP reports that the client ambulated to the restroom and is now reporting, "something feels like it’s coming out." What is the nurse's priority action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"C"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"B"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"C"}}

Explanation

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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