A client with vaginal cancer is being treated with a radioactive vaginal implant. The client’s husband asks the nurse if he can spend the night with his wife. The nurse should explain that:
A. Overnight stays by family members is against hospital policy.
B. There is no need for him to stay because staffing is adequate.
C. His wife will rest much better knowing that he is at home.
D. Visitation is limited to 30 minutes when the implant is in place.
Correct Answer: D. Visitation is limited to 30 minutes when the implant is in place.
Clients with radium implants should have close contact limited to 30 minutes per visit. The general rule is limiting time spent exposed to radium, putting distance between people and the radium source, and using lead to shield against the radium. Teaching the family member these principles is extremely important. Internal radiation therapy uses a pill, liquid, implant or temporary source to put radiation inside the body to kill the cancer cells, and may require certain safety precautions for staff and family while the patient is in the hospital or at home, according to the National Cancer Institute
Option A: Do not spend any more time in the patient’s room than is necessary to care for the patient. In particular, time at the patient’s bedside should be kept to a minimum. Specific “stay times” will be provided on the patient’s door.
Option B: Visitors are allowed provided that: visitors shall be 18 years or older; the patient shall not have pregnant visitors, and visitors should remain at least 6 feet from the patients and should not stay more than 2 hours per day (unless other information is provided).
Option C: The most common safety precautions related to preventing unnecessary radiation exposure are limiting time near the patient, maintaining a safe distance of three to six feet from the source of the radiation, and using lead shielding to protect family and staff.