Safety Measure Applied by Nurses Dealing with Patients under Radioactive Iodine

Abstract

Iodine is a natural element found in food, and it concentrates in the thyroid gland. Radioiodine (RAI) is a special form of iodine "I131", which gives off radiation. There is a considerable increase in the use of I131 to treat the overactive thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine will be eliminated from the body over the next several weeks after it is given. Therefore, safety measures are important in dealing with RAI for the possibility of unnecessary radiation exposure to staff hospital and relatives. Measures to avoid contamination of the patient's room, bathroom and the hospital area should be implemented. Nurses have a major role in the care and safety of patients undergoing radiation therapy. Therefore, their knowledge and performance should be sufficiently high in order to protect themselves and others from the hazards of RAI (Patrick L; 2014).