A client who has four gold seed implants on a chest wall tumor is on radiation precautions. What basic precautions should the practical nurse (PN) observe when administering direct care to this client?
Minimal time, maximum distance, and protective shielding.
Rotate the assignment with other staff during the shift.
Virtual observation and wearing a film badge for exposure.
Standard precautions with negative pressure isolation.
The Correct Answer is A
The practical nurse (PN) should observe minimal time, maximum distance, and protective shielding when administering direct care to a client who has four gold seed implants on a chest wall tumor.
Minimal time refers to limiting the duration of direct exposure to the client with the gold seed implants. This helps minimize the nurse's exposure to radiation.
Maximum distance refers to maintaining a safe distance from the client with the gold seed implants. The nurse should try to stay as far away as possible while still being able to provide necessary care.
Protective shielding involves using lead aprons, gloves, and other appropriate shielding materials to protect oneself from radiation exposure. These protective measures help reduce the nurse's exposure to radiation during care activities.
B. Rotating assignments with other staff during the shift may not be necessary in this situation unless there are specific staffing requirements or guidelines in place. The primary focus should be on minimizing the nurse's exposure to radiation through time, distance, and shielding.
C. Virtual observation and wearing a film badge for exposure are not applicable in this context. These measures are more relevant for monitoring radiation exposure over time and do not directly address the precautions needed during direct care.
D. Standard precautions with negative pressure isolation are not specifically indicated for a client with gold seed implants. Negative pressure isolation is typically used for clients with infectious diseases that require airborne precautions, and it is not directly related to radiation precautions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Hoarseness or voice changes after thyroidectomy can be indicative of injury or irritation to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which is responsible for controlling the vocal cords. This is a potential complication of the surgery and should be reported to the charge nurse or healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.
B. Administer humidified oxygen per nasal cannula: This option is not appropriate for addressing hoarseness in a client following a thyroidectomy. Hoarseness after a thyroidectomy is typically related to vocal cord injury or irritation, and providing humidified oxygen would not directly address this issue. It is important to notify the charge nurse or healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.
C. Obtain a cup of ice chips for the client: Providing ice chips is not the appropriate action for hoarseness following a thyroidectomy. Ice chips are typically used to provide hydration and comfort to clients, but they do not directly address the underlying cause of hoarseness, which in this case may be vocal cord injury or irritation. It is important to notify the charge nurse or healthcare provider for appropriate evaluation and management.
D. Ensure that the drainage device is compressed: While ensuring proper compression of a drainage device is important for preventing complications such as bleeding or infection, it is not directly related to the client's hoarseness. Hoarseness after a thyroidectomy is more likely related to vocal cord injury or irritation, and notifying the charge nurse or healthcare provider is necessary for further assessment and management.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This is the correct answer because BUN and creatinine are the most important laboratory values to monitor for nephrotoxicity, which is the damage or injury to the kidneys caused by certain drugs or chemicals.
Nephrotoxicity can impair the kidneys' ability to filter waste products from the blood, resulting in elevated levels of BUN and creatinine. The normal range for BUN is 7 to 20 mg/dL, and for creatinine is 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL. The practical nurse (PN) should review these values before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity, such as aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, vancomycin, or sulfonamides. The PN should also monitor the client for signs and symptoms of nephrotoxicity, such as decreased urine output, edema, hypertension, fatigue, nausea, and confusion.
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