A nurse enters a client's room and sees a small fire in the client's bathroom.

Identify the sequence of steps the nurse should take.

(Move the steps, placing them in the order of performance. Use all the steps.)

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 B: "When using implanted contraceptive methods, condoms should also be used to protect against STDs."

Choice B rationale: While implanted contraceptive methods are highly effective in preventing unintended pregnancies, they do not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, using condoms in conjunction with implanted contraceptives can enhance overall sexual health by reducing the risk of contracting or transmitting STDs. This statement highlights the nurse's understanding of the importance of comprehensive sexual health practices and the limitations of various contraceptive methods.

Choice A rationale: The use of petroleum-based lubricants with condoms can actually compromise their effectiveness. Petroleum-based lubricants can degrade latex condoms, increasing the likelihood of condom breakage or slippage, which in turn raises the risk of both pregnancy and STD transmission.

Choice C rationale: Condoms are indeed effective in preventing pregnancy, but their effectiveness can be enhanced by using them in conjunction with vaginal spermicides. Spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 can provide additional protection by inactivating or killing sperm, thus reducing the risk of pregnancy.

Choice D rationale: Ensuring a proper fit is crucial for a condom's effectiveness, but the statement only emphasizes the condom fitting snugly over the tip of the penis. For optimal protection, a condom should be unrolled to cover the entire erect penis, leaving a small empty space at the tip for semen collection. A condom that is not unrolled completely may be more likely to slip off or break during intercourse.