What if a client has a radioactive implant?
Clients with bladder or cervical cancer may have a radioactive implant.
Radiation Therapy
Let's take a closer look at internal radiation
Sealed: Implant/Seeds placed in client’s cavity. Sealed is most dangerous to the nurse. The nurse must limit time and distance with the client. No pregnant nurse should care for this client.
Sealed Radiation
Unsealed: Liquid radiation injected into client’s veins. Unsealed is dangerous only if the nurse is in contact with client’s secretions/body fluids. Client should have private bathroom and flush toilet twice.
Unsealed Radiation
INTRACAVITARY radiation of the cervix: Empty bowel before radiation to prevent altering the position of the radiation source. Expect some vaginal bleeding. STRICT BEDREST during procedure.
Intracavitary or a type of sealed radiation
Never touch radioactive source with bare hands If radioactive source becomes dislodged, use long-handled forceps to retrieve it. Keep a lead container in the client’s room to deposit radioactive source.
Radioactive Source
Save all dressings and bed linens until after radioactive source is removed. Other equipment can be removed from the room at any time and is not hazardous.
Linen and Equipment
Wear dosimeter film badge at all times (records personal amount of radiation exposure) Wear lead apron when providing care. Keep apron towards the client. Do not turn you back to client. Time: visits < 30 minutes. Distance: at least 6 feet. Shield: wear lead apron.
Protection from radiation
External Radiation
Radiation delivered from a source outside the client. The client is NOT radioactive. X-rays, gamma rays, particle beam radiation
Same Position
Client must be in the same position for all tretments to delivery radiation in the exact spot.
Do not remove markings
Do NOT remove ink or dye markings. Wear soft clothing over radiation site, avoid anything abrasive.
Skin Care
Wash irradiated area daily with mild soap and water. Use only powder and lotions approved by oncology unit. Do not use ointments with metals in it such as zinc oxide or talcum powder.
Side Effects
Erythema, desquamation, sloughing, hemorrhage, mucositis, xerostomia (dry mouth) and more.
More on radiation side effects
- Acute Radiation syndrome:Â Gastrointestinal system distress with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that may last several days.
- Altered taste (external)=Dysgeusia. Avoid red meat it may not taste good.
- Fatigue
- Inflammation
- Skin changes: pruritis, erythema, burning, & sloughing.
- Radiation to the neck watch for sore throat/difficulty swallowing (GI cells are rapidly dividing cells and radiation targets rapidly dividing cells).
- Anorexia:Â Needs high calorie diet and avoid foods that are hot and spicy
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bone marrow suppression
