Care Manager Certification Practice Exam

What action should a nurse take when caring for a client with a radiation injury?

1. Keep a distance of within 0.3 meters (1 foot) of the client.

2. Place the client in a semi-private room.

3. Have the client shower within 8hr.

4. Remove the client's clothing.

The correct answer is: Remove the client's clothing.

When caring for a client with a radiation injury, removing the client's clothing is crucial for several reasons. Clothing can retain radioactive particles, which may continue to emit radiation and lead to further contamination of both the patient and the surrounding environment. By removing the clothing, the nurse helps prevent the spread of radioactive material and reduces the risk of additional radiation exposure to others. Additionally, this action allows for proper decontamination and assessment of the client's skin and body for any signs of radiation-related effects. It is necessary to follow established protocols for managing radiation injuries, which often includes thorough decontamination processes that begin with the removal of contaminated clothing. The other actions, such as keeping a distance or placing the client in a semi-private room, would not adequately address the immediate concerns of radiation contamination. Allowing the client to shower immediately could also pose a risk of spreading radioactive materials further without proper containment measures in place. Therefore, removing the client's clothing is the most appropriate and immediate action to take in response to a radiation injury.