Where must zone monitors or area monitors be installed for brachytherapy?

The correct choice emphasizes the importance of safety and compliance with regulatory standards when performing brachytherapy procedures. Zone monitors or area monitors are essential tools in radiation safety, as they help to detect and measure radiation levels in specific areas where patients receive treatment.

Installing these monitors in the patient treatment room or its vicinity ensures that any potential radiation exposure to staff and patients can be promptly identified and managed. This placement allows for continuous monitoring of the radiation environment during treatment sessions, providing real-time data that can influence safety protocols and operational procedures. Furthermore, it supports regulatory compliance by ensuring appropriate measures are in place to safeguard the health of both patients and healthcare personnel.

In contrast, placing monitors in locations such as the staff break room or equipment storage closet would not provide the necessary oversight in areas where radiation is actively present during treatment. Such locations are typically not relevant to the immediate monitoring needs associated with brachytherapy, which requires vigilance in areas where the radiation source is utilized.