A client diagnosed with a benign brain tumor asks, "What is a gamma knife?" The nurse explains that "It is:

Question

1. A method of providing a focused dose of radiation at your tumor.".
2. A radioactive seed or capsule implanted into the tumor.".
3. A robotic arm device that delivers multiple beams of radiation to the tumor.".
4. The traditional method of providing radiation to a tumor.".

Answer 1

A method of providing a focused dose of radiation at your tumor.".

Rationale: Gamma knife radiosurgery is a system that uses focused radiation in a single dose. Brachytherapy is the surgical implantation of radioactive capsules, or "seeds," directly into the tumor bed. Cyber knife radiosurgery is a radiosurgical system that consists of a robotic arm used to deliver multiple beams of radiation. To say that a gamma knife is the traditional method of providing radiation to a tumor is not accurate.