Pre‐procedure

ActionRationale

1. 1.Show
   Explain and discuss the procedure with the patient.
   To ensure that the patient understands the procedure and gives their valid consent (O'Dwyer et al. [54], R1b).
2. 2.Show
   Check administrative documents, confirm that consent has been given and that pregnancy status has been recorded (must be negative to proceed with procedure).
   Safe administration of radiopharmaceutical medicine (DH [15], C; NMC [52], C).

Procedure

1. 3.Show
   Administer a prophylactic antiemetic 30 minutes before scheduled administration of the dose.
   To reduce the risk of nausea and/or vomiting after ingestion of a radioactive source. E
2. 4.Show
   Check that the preparation of the room and the patient is complete. Ensure that any surplus items have been removed.
   To prevent contamination of extraneous equipment. E
3. 5.Show
   Assist the patient to remove dentures/bridges, if dose is administered in liquid form.
   To prevent radioactive material being trapped behind dental plates. E
4. 6.Show
   Allow the patient to swallow the capsule or drink the iodine‐131 through a straw, physically directed by an authorized member of staff.
   Drinking through a straw reduces the amount of radioactive material left around the mouth. To comply with ARSAC regulations (HPA [26], C).
5. 7.Show
   Offer the patient a cold drink of water to rinse out the mouth and then swallow. Assist the patient to replace dentures.
   To remove any iodine‐131 from inside the mouth. E

Post‐procedure

1. 8.Show
   Ensure that the medical physics staff place the radiation warning sign at the entrance to the therapy room.
   To identify the room as a controlled area (DH [15], C).