A nurse is discussing discharge plans with an older adult client who lives alone and has left-sided weakness following a stroke.
Which of the following information is the priority for the nurse to discuss?

The correct answer is choiceC. “Have your child drink a small glass of water after swallowing the medication.”

Choice A rationale:

Adding digoxin to a half-cup of juice is not recommended because it can affect the absorption of the medication.It is best to give digoxin on an empty stomach or with a small amount of food if necessary.

Choice B rationale:

Limiting potassium intake is incorrect.In fact, maintaining adequate potassium levels is important because low potassium levels can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity.

Choice C rationale:

Having the child drink a small glass of water after taking the medication helps ensure that the medication is swallowed completely and reduces the risk of esophageal irritation.

Choice D rationale:

Repeating the dose if the child vomits within 1 hour is not recommended. If a dose is vomited, it should not be repeated to avoid the risk of overdose.The next dose should be given at the regular scheduled time.

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.