After treatment with radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer, what major source of contamination should the nurse take precautions with?

After treatment with radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer, urine is considered a major source of contamination because it can contain radioactive materials that are excreted from the body. Radioactive iodine has a tendency to concentrate in the thyroid gland, but once it undergoes metabolism, the body eliminates a significant portion of it through urine.

As a result, urine can remain radioactive for some time after treatment, and care must be taken to prevent exposure to it. This is particularly important in settings where healthcare workers or family members may be in close contact with the patient, as minimizing the risk of contamination through urine is crucial for safety.

While blood, saliva, and skin secretions could also potentially carry some level of radioactivity, urine is specifically cited as a primary concern because of its high excretion rate of radioactive substances after iodine treatment. Therefore, nurses need to implement proper hygiene protocols, such as using gloves and ensuring that urine is disposed of safely, to mitigate the risk of contamination effectively.