Confused with the answer....any suggestions???

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A client is on isolation after receiving an internal radioactive implant to treat cancer. Two hours later, the nurse discovers the implant in the bed linens. What should the nurse do first?

a. Stay in the room and call for help.

b. Pick up the implant with long handled forceps and place it in a lead lined container.

c. Leave the room and notify the radiation therapy department immediately.

d. Put the implant back in place, using forceps and a shield for self protection, and call for help.

I am confused because in Saunders it says pick up the implant with long handled forceps and place it in lead lined container but the answer for this question is "Leave the room and notify the radiation therapy department". is it correct???

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i would go with leave the room because they should have a special team that handles stuff like that

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I remember seeing this question in the past, but don't remember what the correct answer was.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I think that the context behind this question depends upon the role of the person who discovers the situation. Nurses are not the best people to be handling implants or radioactive materials... so, without any information other than that provided in the scenario you can't assume that the nurse has specialized training and equipment. Therefore, the best response is to call radiation therapy because they are trained to handle these materials, including dealing with subsequent patient issues.

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Try to find the question on saunders and post it here. Maybe a word in the question can change things a bit or the choices.Did saunders have leave the room andnotify physician as a choice? I have seen that question you just posted before either on la charity or kaplan. I forgot which one.

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In saunders 5th edition under oncological disorders pg606 under Priority nursing actions to take if a sealed radiation implant become dislodged it states:

1. Encourage the client to lie still.

2. Use a long handled forceps to retrieve the radioactive source.

3. Deposit the radioactive source in a lead container.

4. Contact the radiation oncologist.

5. Document the occurence and actions taken.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

From my days of NCLEX practice questions...I believe the answer always was the forceps/lead box option. Not sure how it is handled in real life, but since when does the NCLEX test you on real life situations? :rolleyes:

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I know even in hurst videos it is to pick up with forceps but this is confusing now...don't know what exactly to do.

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my only guess is that they didn't say there was a long forceps and a lead-lined box in the room.:D and they wouldn't want the nurse to think that s/he was supposed to go wasting time to hustle one up.

i'd still call radiology stat, and not expose myself to possible radiation.

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Ok so for our safety we should consider calling the radiography team rather than exposing ourselves. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

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finally correct ans.is B......i read from saunders....

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What book are you using?

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