Isotope of Cobalt is used in the treatment for which of the following diseases? & x20; - RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

Explanation

Cobalt-60 (⁶⁰Co) is a radioactive isotope specifically used in external beam radiotherapy (teletherapy) to treat cancer.
It emits high-energy gamma rays that penetrate tissues and damage the DNA of cancer cells.
This damage prevents the rapidly dividing cancer cells from replicating, leading to their death and the shrinkage of tumors.
The process is designed to maximize damage to cancerous tissue while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy cells.

Option A: Anaemia is a condition of low red blood cells or hemoglobin. It is not treated with radiation. Treatment typically involves nutritional supplements like iron or vitamin B12, or addressing the underlying cause of blood loss.
Option C: Goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The specific radioisotope used for thyroid conditions is Iodine-131, not Cobalt-60. Iodine is selectively absorbed by the thyroid gland, making it ideal for targeting this organ.
Option D: AIDS is a viral disease caused by HIV. It is managed with Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to suppress the virus. Radiation therapy has no role in the treatment of AIDS.

Visual 1: Diagram - A diagram of a teletherapy (Cobalt-60) machine, showing the radiation source, collimator, and how the beam is directed towards a patient to treat a tumor.
Visual 2: Infographic - A chart listing common medical radioisotopes (Cobalt-60, Iodine-131, Technetium-99m, Phosphorus-32) and their specific uses in diagnosis and therapy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing The application of radioisotopes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, specifically the use of Cobalt-60 helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses caring for patients undergoing radiotherapy must be knowledgeable about radiation safety principles, including time, distance, and shielding, to protect themselves and others from exposure.
Patient education is a key nursing role. Nurses must explain the procedure, manage side effects like skin reactions, fatigue, and nausea, and provide emotional support.
What if? If a patient undergoing radiotherapy develops severe skin breakdown (moist desquamation), the nurse's priority is to ensure meticulous skin care, prevent infection, manage pain, and consult with the oncology team about potentially pausing treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the medical use of a specific element: 'Isotope of Cobalt'.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge base about common radioisotopes used in medicine.
Associate 'Cobalt' with its most prominent medical application. The term 'Cobalt therapy' is strongly linked to cancer treatment.
Evaluate each option: 'Anaemia' (blood disorder), 'Goitre' (thyroid, linked to Iodine), 'AIDS' (viral). The connection between Cobalt and Cancer is the most direct and well-established.
Select 'Cancer' as the correct answer based on this strong association.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The application of radioisotopes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, specifically the use of Cobalt-60.
Stem keywords: Isotope of Cobalt, treatment, diseases
Lead-in keywords: which of the following

qW1ClXRPnXaiWnUcSpjyK