Question

Radium inserted in the vagina of a client now is being removed. what safety precaution should the nurse employ when assisting with the radium removal?

Answer 1

Radium is usually inserted in the vagina of those patients who have cancer of the cervix as part of their treatment. When a nurse want to remove such radium, she must have at her disposal a piece of forceps for carrying out the removal. Long handled forceps should be used because distance helps to limit exposure to the radioactive element.
After the removal, the nurse should assess the patient for pain reaction.