Nursing care of radiation

1. Nursing Care of Radiation

2. Warning C — Change in Bowel or Bladder habits A — A Sore doesn’t Heal U — Unusual Bleeding or Discharge T — Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere I — Indigestion or difficulty swallowing O — Obvious change in warts or moles N — Nagging Cough or Hoarseness

3. Cancer Treatment Based on Cell Origin Focus on Removing or Destroying cancer cells Guide by Client Factors Adjuvant treatment Hormone Radiation Targeted Therapies Immunotherapy Chemotherapy

4. Procedures Manipulation or removal of the tumor Cryosurgery laser therapy, Ablation Excision may be open or endoscopic

5. Nursing Priorities Informed Consent NPO Withhold meds as prescribed Med administration Monitor Lab finding Postop care per location/procedure type PAIN Educate on wounds, drains, implanted devices Complications Infection f/e imbalances Bleeding Inadequate oxygenation Shock Thromboembolism

6. Radiation Nursing Care Radiation therapy involves the use of ionizing radiation to target tissues and destroy cells Given preoperatively to decrease the size of a tumor Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are/can be used in combination

7. Radiation Adverse Effects Fatigue Skin changes Hair loss

8. Internal Radiation Therapy Radiation comes from implants or liquids placed inside the body. Brachytherapy placed close to the target tissue placement in a body orifice placement in a body cavity delivered via IV

9. IRT Nursing Care Private room Limit visitors 30mins @ 6ft Radiation Warning Sign Wear a dosimeter film badge pregnant or under the age of 16 should not come Lead Container in Room

10. IRT Nursing Education Lead Container Pregnant women stay away Prevent dislodging of implant (positioning) Limit visitors Keep children < 16yr away

11. External Radiation Therapy Most common Teletherapy over the course of several weeks machine aimed at the body from an external source

12. ERT Nursing Care Preparation of skin over targeted area Marked with “TATTOOS” “TATTOOS ARE POSITION GUIDES No Red Meat Diet Dysgeusia is common Rest periods Scheduling activities 2 promote rest Sit during shower or ADL’s Treat symptoms of irradiation

13. ERT Nursing Education Restrict Visitor Fatigue common Wash irradiated area w/mild soap & H2O Dry area w/patting Don’t Remove Radiation “Tattoos” Please. Don’t expose irradiated skin 2 Sun or Heat Soft Clothing Avoid tight clothes Don’t put on irradiated skin Power Lotion Ointments Perfumes

14. Thanks