A sealed source from a client's temporary low-dose-rate brachytherapy implant becomes dislodged onto the bed linen. Which action should the nurse take?
1Pick up the source with a gloved hand and place it in a specimen cup
2Wrap the source inside the bed linen and carry it to the utility room
3Push the source back into the applicator using a cotton-tipped swab
4Use remote handling tools to place the source in a shielded container✓ Correct answer
Explanation
Control a dislodged sealed brachytherapy source with emergency radiation-safety equipment. Trained staff use remote tools and a shielded container, restrict access, and notify the radiation safety team. Direct contact, improvised transport, or reinsertion increases exposure and loss-of-source risk.
Quick answer Use the designated remote handling tool and shielded container, then activate the radiation emergency procedure.
Why this is correct Distance and shielding reduce occupational exposure while the source is secured and accounted for. The prepared emergency equipment allows control without touching the radioactive source or carrying contaminated linens through the unit.
Easy analogy or mental picture Remote tools and a shielded container work like tongs and a heatproof box for a dangerously hot object. The mapping is distance and shielding; radiation cannot be judged by visible heat, so formal monitoring and source accountability are still required.
NCLEX decision rule For a dislodged sealed brachytherapy source, never touch or reinsert it by hand; secure it with approved remote equipment and follow the radiation-safety emergency plan.
Why the other choices are wrong Gloves do not shield penetrating radiation. Carrying loose linens can spread the hazard, and pushing the source back is an unauthorized procedure that can expose the client and staff.
References
[1]
NCSBN: 2026 NCLEX-RN Test PlanNational Council of State Boards of Nursing
[2]
Frequently Asked Questions About Licensing Medical Uses Under 10 CFR Part 35U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Clinical Practice GuideFor Orthostatic hypotension fall risk, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.
CautionDo not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.
Orthostatic Hypotension — A drop in blood pressure that occurs when moving to an upright position.
Fall Prevention — Interventions that reduce the risk of falling or injury.
Call Light — A device clients use to request assistance from staff.