Nuclear Medicine Practice Flashcards

Flashcards covering the fundamentals of atomic structure, radioactive decay, units of measurement, detectors, imaging systems, clinical applications, and radiation protection based on 'Nuclear Medicine Essentials'.

What are the two main components of an atom?

Nucleus and electron cloud

What is the approximate size difference between the radius of an atom and the radius of its nucleus?

The radius of the atom is approximately $10,000$ times larger than the radius of the nucleus.

What specific name is given to the particles (protons and neutrons) that make up the nucleus of an atom?

Nucleons

What does the Atomic Number ($Z$) represent in a nucleus?

The number of protons in a nucleus

How are isotopes defined in terms of their subatomic particles?

They have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

What occurs to the atomic number during alpha decay?

It decreases by $2$

What particle is emitted from the nucleus during beta-minus decay?

An electron

What is the effect of positron emission on the atomic number of an atom?

The atomic number decreases by $1$

What type of radiation is released during gamma decay?

Electromagnetic radiation

In the study of radioactive decay, what does the Decay Constant ($\lambda$) represent?

The probability of a nucleus decaying per unit time

In the popcorn analogy for radioactive decay, what do the unpopped kernels represent?

Radioactive nuclei that have not decayed

According to the Radioactive Decay Law, how does the number of radioactive nuclei change over time?

Exponentially

What is the definition of the Half Life of a radioactive isotope?

The time it takes for the radioactivity to decrease by half

What is the SI unit used for measuring radioactivity?

Becquerel ($\text{Bq}$)

What is the traditional unit used for radiation exposure?

Roentgen

According to the Inverse Square Law, what happens to radiation intensity if you double the distance from the source?

The intensity decreases by a factor of $4$

What is the electrical charge of an alpha particle?

Double positive

Which interaction of gamma rays with matter is key in nuclear medicine imaging?

Photoelectric Effect

What happens to the attenuation of gamma-rays as their energy increases?

Attenuation decreases

What is the Half Value Layer ($\text{HVL}$)?

The thickness of material needed to reduce radiation intensity by half

What is the primary physical outcome of radiation interacting with matter within a gas-filled detector?

Creation of ions

In which region of the dc voltage dependence graph does a Geiger Counter operate?

Region D

What is the purpose of adding a quenching gas to a Geiger Counter?

To stop the electron avalanche

What material is commonly utilized in scintillation detectors for the detection of gamma-rays?

$$\text{NaI(Tl)}$$

What is the function of a photomultiplier tube ($\text{PMT}$) in a scintillation detector?

To convert light flashes into electrons

What is the primary purpose of nuclear medicine imaging systems?

To produce pictures of the distribution of radioactive material in the body

Which radiotracer is commonly used to image the liver?

$^{99\text{m}}\text{Tc}$-Tin Colloid

What is the main difference between nuclear medicine imaging and X-ray imaging regarding the information provided?

Nuclear medicine provides physiological information, whereas X-ray imaging provides anatomical information.

What is the name of the most common device used in modern nuclear medicine imaging?

Gamma Camera

Which type of radiation should a radioisotope emit for nuclear medicine imaging to minimize patient dose?

Gamma rays

What device accelerates charged particles to create radioisotopes via nuclear bombardment?

Cyclotron

What is the primary medical purpose of radiation therapy?

To damage the DNA of cancer cells

Which of the following is categorized as ionizing radiation: Microwaves, Visible light, X-rays, or Radio waves?

X-rays

Which unit is used specifically to measure the biological effects of radiation?

Sievert ($\text{Sv}$)

What is the recommended maximum annual effective dose limit for workers in a controlled area?

$$20\,\text{mSv}$$

What is the purpose of Diagnostic Reference Levels ($\text{DRLs}$) in nuclear medicine?

To optimize clinical practice and reduce unnecessary radiation

What is the primary use of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine?

To study the physiology of organs

What role does the MIRD Committee serve in nuclear medicine?

To develop methods for calculating absorbed radiation doses

What localization mechanism involves placing a radiopharmaceutical into a bounded space for scanning?

Compartmental localization

Which radiopharmaceutical is used for lung ventilation imaging?

Xenon-133

Which radiopharmaceutical is used for bone imaging?

$$^{99\text{m}}\text{Tc-MDP}$$

What is the main advantage of nuclear medicine techniques over MRI and CT?

They can detect diseases at the molecular level before morphological changes occur.

What is the oxidation state of technetium in the form of pertechnetate ($^{99\text{m}}\text{TcO}_4$)?

$$+7$$

How is radiochemical purity expressed in radiopharmaceutical analysis?

As a percentage of the total radioactive species in the sample

What is the purpose of a bone scan in nuclear medicine?

To detect bone metabolism issues

What type of radiation is most commonly used in nuclear medicine therapy?

Beta radiation

What is the main focus of the "Image Gently" campaign?

To raise awareness about reducing radiation exposure in children

What is the typical spatial resolution for human whole-body PET imaging?

$$4-6\,\text{mm}$$

What is the main benefit of Time of Flight ($\text{TOF}$) PET systems?

They improve image resolution and reduce scan time.

Why is furosemide used during a dynamic renal scintigraphy scan?

To help drain the kidneys

What should be administered to block the thyroid before performing $^{123}\text{I-MIBG}$ imaging?

LUGOL solution

How are $^{90}\text{Y}$ microspheres typically delivered to liver tumors?

Through the hepatic artery

What is the maximum lung shunt ratio recommended for $^{90}\text{Y}$ resin microsphere therapy?

$$20\%$$