Nursing Care of Radiation

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

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

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

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

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

Radiation• Adverse Effects• Fatigue• Skin changes• Hair loss

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks