Patient/Family Teaching

• Inform patient that they will have a radioactive material in their body for several days upon discharge from hospital. Provide patient with verbal and written instructions for minimizing exposure to family, friends, and general public

• Advise patient to use effective contraception for 12 mo following administration. Advise patient not to breastfeed during this time

• Instruct patient to notify health care professional promptly if fever; chills; cough; hoarseness; sore throat; signs of infection; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination; bleeding gums; bruising; petechiae; blood in stools, urine, or emesis; increased fatigue; dyspnea; or orthostatic hypotension occurs. Caution patient to avoid crowds and persons with known infections. Instruct patient to use soft toothbrush and electric razor and to avoid falls. Caution patient not to drink alcoholic beverages or take medication containing aspirin or NSAIDs; may precipitate gastric bleeding. Explain the need for frequent monitoring

• May cause dizziness. Caution patient to avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness until response to medication is known

• Emphasize the importance of adherence with thyroid blocking agents and need for long-term monitoring

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