RADIOTHERAPY

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 Nursing Care
• Perform skin assessment before radiation
treatments, at least weekly during treatments,
1 month following completion of treatment, and
each follow-up appointment.
• Initial assessment includes the patient’s present
skin condition, preexisting skin disorders, medical
conditions, medications, age-related factors, and
nutritional status.
• Consistency in assessment and documentation is
important.
Provide Emotional Support.
• (1) The patient will experience adverse effects
(fatigue, sore throat, dry cough, nausea,
anorexia) arise gradually and diminish
gradually after treatments. Assure him that
this is normal and will eventually resolve.

• (2) Educate the patient and his family about

the nature of the treatment so that they will
be better able to cope.
 Nursing management of client
receiving internal radiation

a. Exposure to small amounts of radiation is

possible during close contact with
persons receiving internal radiation:
understand the principles of protection
from exposure to radiation: time, distance,
and shielding
• b. Place client in private room
c. Instruct visitors to maintain at least a
distance of 6 feet from the client and
• limit visitors to 30 minutes
• d. Ensure proper handling and disposal of
body fluids, assuring the containers are
marked appropriately
e. Ensure proper handling of bed linens and
clothing
• f. In the event of a dislodged implant, use
long-handled forceps and place the
• implant into a lead container; never directly
touch the implant
• g. Do not allow pregnant woman to come into
any contact with radiation
• sources; screen visitors and staff for
pregnancy
• h. If working routinely near radiation sources,
wear a monitoring device to
measure exposure
i. Educate client in all safety measures
Nursing management of the client
receiving external radiation

a. Monitor for adverse side effects of radiation

b. Monitor for significant decreases in white

blood cell counts and platelet
counts
c. Client teaching
 Patient Instructions
• Use gentle soaps ONLY, such as Dove or Ivory,
which do not contain additives
• Use a moisturizing lotion on the treatment
area twice a day
• Expose the treated area to the air as much as
possible
• Do not wear underwire bras
• Do not wear tight-fitting clothing that rubs or
binds underneath the breast
 Patient Instructions

• Wear a comfortable bra. Wear cotton t-shirts

underneath your bra to absorb moisture.
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.
• Eat well-balanced meals and maintain your
weight during treatment.
• Continue with your normal daily activities if
tolerated.
 Patient Instructions
• Sexual activity may continue during treatment.
You are not radioactive and there are no dangers
to your partner.
• Avoid extreme temperatures to the affected
area. Do not use water bottles, heating pads, sun
lamps, ice bags, etc.
• Avoid exposing your skin to the sun, as the sun
and sun rays are an additional form of radiation
to the skin. Always apply sunscreen with SPF or
15 before sun exposure.
 Patient Instructions

• Do not apply tape or adhesive bandages to

the treated area.
• Speak with your nurse about deodorant use
• Continue with the range of motion exercises
for your arm and shoulder.
• Report any pain or swelling to your doctor or
nurse.
 Breast Skin Products

Cleanser and moisturizer

Given to every breast cancer patient being
treated with radiation
Have patients use twice a day