Nuclear Medicine- Exit Exam Practice
Questions solved
A patient with a chest tube arrives in the nuclear medicine department for an Imaging
study. The technologist should:
A. Cancel the procedure because the chest tube apparatus will interfere with the study
B. Place the chest tubes external apparatus on the Imaging table next to the patient
C.Hang the chest tubes external apparatus from an IV pole and raise it above the
patient's chest
D.Place the chest tubes external apparatus on a level lower than the patient's chest -
answer D. Place the chest tubes external apparatus on a level lower than the
patient's chest
for proper drainage, chest tube apparatus must always remain lower than the patient's
chest
(Bolus: (2011) Steve's Review of Nuclear Medicine Technology: Preparation for
certification examination)
99mTc-Oxidronate image of the region shown would demonstrate all the following
structures except the:
A. Costochondral Junctions
B. Acromion processes
C. Sternum
D. Clavicles - answer B. Acromion processes
The image depicts an anterior view of the rib cage and proximal upper extremities. The
acromion processes would be demonstrated on a posterior view of the upper thorax that
includes the scapulae.
Which of the following is common to imaging gastroesophageal reflux in both adults and
children?
A. The patient ingests diluted hydrochloric acid with the radiopharmaceutical
B. 99mtc sulfur colloid is the radiopharmaceutical of choice
,C. The patient must fast from Midnight before the test
D. An abdominal binder is used to increase pressure over the abdomen - answer B.
99mtc sulfur colloid is the radiopharmaceutical of choice
99mTc-Sulfur Colloid is the radiopharmaceutical used to image gastroesophageal reflux
in both adults and children. However, adults are administered a mixture of dilute
hydrochloric acid, orange juice and tracer after fasting from midnight. In infants and
toddlers, the procedure is performed at the time of a scheduled feeding, so they may
fast as little as two hours before receiving the tracer. In adults, an abdominal binder is
used to increase external abdominal pressure to demonstrate more subtle instances of
reflux. Because the abdominal muscles are important in pediatric respiration, the binder
is typically not used with children, particularly infants.
The shelf life of most 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals is:
A. 4-6 hrs
B. 6-8 hrs
C. 10-12 hrs
D. 16-18 hrs - answer B. 6-8hrs
For most 99mTc-Radiopharmaceuticals, the expiration time is 6 hrs, equal to the
physical half-life of 99mTC (t1/2= 6 hrs)
On an intrinsic field uniformity image, the area of increased activity around the image is
called:
A. Flare phenomenon
B. Septal penetration
C. Edge packing
D. Halo effect - answer C. Edge packing
The phenomenon known as Edge packing can show up as a bright rim of activity
around the perimeter of the [intrinsic flood]. To prevent Edge packing, most
manufacturers provide a lead- shielded ring that masks the effect when attached to the
edge of the camera head.
A patient who becomes hypoglycemic may exhibit all the following signs and symptoms
except:
A. Weakness and shakiness
B. Irritability
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Confusion - answer C. Nausea and vomiting
The onset of symptoms of hypoglycemia may be sudden and include general
weakness, sweating, clammy, cold skin, tremors, nervousness, irritability, hunger,
,blurred vision and loss of consciousness. The condition can be remedied quickly with
the administration of sugar (3 pieces of candy or fruit juice)
Which of the following is the correct patient/camera positioning for imaging a
transplanted kidney?
Patient position Camera positions
I Upright Anterior
II Upright Posterior
III Supine Anterior
IV Supine Posterior
A. I
B. II
C. III
D. IV - answer C. III
Imaging of renal transplants is performed with the patient supine. Anterior images are
obtained over the iliac fossa containing the transplanted kidney.
The gamma ray spectrum shown below was obtained at a voltage of 800. To move the
photo peak into the window, which of the following actions should be taken?
A. The voltage should be increased
B. The voltage should be decreased
C. The window should be widened
D. The window should be moved - answer A. The voltage should be increased
As voltage is increased, the gamma-ray spectrum moves to the right. Therefore,
increasing the voltage will shift the photopeak toward the window and, if the voltage is
increased sufficiently, into the window.
Which of the following 99mTc-labeled agents is the preferred radiopharmaceutical for
demonstrating intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding?
A. Human serum albumin
B. Red blood cells
C. Lidofenin
D. Sulfur colloid - answer B. Red blood cells
99mTc heat-treated red blood cells (RBCs) and 99mTc-sulfur colloid techniques have
for the most part been replaced by non heat-treated 99mTc labeled red blood cell
procedures for performing GI bleeding studies.
, When the septa are removed and coincidences are recorded between detectors lying in
any ring combination the data are acquired:
A. In hybrid mode
B. In 2D mode
C. In 3D mode
D. In 40 mode - answer C. In 3D mode
The sensitivity in 3D PET is highest in the axial center of the gantry and diminishes
toward the periphery-- the sensitivity of the first and last few slices of a 3D acquisition is
the same as the sensitivity of 2D mode.The boost in sensitivity to true coincidences is
the key motivation for the removal of septa. However, the sensitivity to scatter in
random events in 3D mode also increases considerably.
If a patient receives 99mTc-MAA while in an upright position, which of the following
statements most likely represents what will be seen on the perfusion lung images.
A. Increased tracer activity in the lung apices
B. Decreased tracer activity throughout both lungs
C. Decrease tracer activity in the lung bases
D. Decrease tracer activity in the lung apices - answer D. Decrease tracer activity in
the lung apices
Technetium 99mTc-MAA should be injected during quiet respiration, with the patient
supine to minimize the normal perfusion gradient between the apex and the lung base.
(When the patient is supine, the effect of gravity, which hinders blood flow to the lung
apices, is minimized, allowing uniform tracer distribution throughout the lung.)
In case of a radioactive spill that involves contamination and life-threatening injuries to
personnel, which of the following actions should be given priority?
A. Confinement of the radioactive spill
B. Decontamination of the victim
C. Notification of the radiation safety officer
D. Medical treatment of the seriously injured - answer D. Medical treatment of the
seriously injured
Medical treatment for life-threatening conditions always takes precedence over any
other activity. To prevent the spread of contamination, the victim can be wrapped in a
sheet for transport to the treatment area.
A vial of 67Ga-citrate is calibrated to contain 5 mCi at 0600, Pacific Standard Time on
March 8th. How much activity does the vial contain on March 9th at 1200, Eastern
Standard Time?
Questions solved
A patient with a chest tube arrives in the nuclear medicine department for an Imaging
study. The technologist should:
A. Cancel the procedure because the chest tube apparatus will interfere with the study
B. Place the chest tubes external apparatus on the Imaging table next to the patient
C.Hang the chest tubes external apparatus from an IV pole and raise it above the
patient's chest
D.Place the chest tubes external apparatus on a level lower than the patient's chest -
answer D. Place the chest tubes external apparatus on a level lower than the
patient's chest
for proper drainage, chest tube apparatus must always remain lower than the patient's
chest
(Bolus: (2011) Steve's Review of Nuclear Medicine Technology: Preparation for
certification examination)
99mTc-Oxidronate image of the region shown would demonstrate all the following
structures except the:
A. Costochondral Junctions
B. Acromion processes
C. Sternum
D. Clavicles - answer B. Acromion processes
The image depicts an anterior view of the rib cage and proximal upper extremities. The
acromion processes would be demonstrated on a posterior view of the upper thorax that
includes the scapulae.
Which of the following is common to imaging gastroesophageal reflux in both adults and
children?
A. The patient ingests diluted hydrochloric acid with the radiopharmaceutical
B. 99mtc sulfur colloid is the radiopharmaceutical of choice
,C. The patient must fast from Midnight before the test
D. An abdominal binder is used to increase pressure over the abdomen - answer B.
99mtc sulfur colloid is the radiopharmaceutical of choice
99mTc-Sulfur Colloid is the radiopharmaceutical used to image gastroesophageal reflux
in both adults and children. However, adults are administered a mixture of dilute
hydrochloric acid, orange juice and tracer after fasting from midnight. In infants and
toddlers, the procedure is performed at the time of a scheduled feeding, so they may
fast as little as two hours before receiving the tracer. In adults, an abdominal binder is
used to increase external abdominal pressure to demonstrate more subtle instances of
reflux. Because the abdominal muscles are important in pediatric respiration, the binder
is typically not used with children, particularly infants.
The shelf life of most 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals is:
A. 4-6 hrs
B. 6-8 hrs
C. 10-12 hrs
D. 16-18 hrs - answer B. 6-8hrs
For most 99mTc-Radiopharmaceuticals, the expiration time is 6 hrs, equal to the
physical half-life of 99mTC (t1/2= 6 hrs)
On an intrinsic field uniformity image, the area of increased activity around the image is
called:
A. Flare phenomenon
B. Septal penetration
C. Edge packing
D. Halo effect - answer C. Edge packing
The phenomenon known as Edge packing can show up as a bright rim of activity
around the perimeter of the [intrinsic flood]. To prevent Edge packing, most
manufacturers provide a lead- shielded ring that masks the effect when attached to the
edge of the camera head.
A patient who becomes hypoglycemic may exhibit all the following signs and symptoms
except:
A. Weakness and shakiness
B. Irritability
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Confusion - answer C. Nausea and vomiting
The onset of symptoms of hypoglycemia may be sudden and include general
weakness, sweating, clammy, cold skin, tremors, nervousness, irritability, hunger,
,blurred vision and loss of consciousness. The condition can be remedied quickly with
the administration of sugar (3 pieces of candy or fruit juice)
Which of the following is the correct patient/camera positioning for imaging a
transplanted kidney?
Patient position Camera positions
I Upright Anterior
II Upright Posterior
III Supine Anterior
IV Supine Posterior
A. I
B. II
C. III
D. IV - answer C. III
Imaging of renal transplants is performed with the patient supine. Anterior images are
obtained over the iliac fossa containing the transplanted kidney.
The gamma ray spectrum shown below was obtained at a voltage of 800. To move the
photo peak into the window, which of the following actions should be taken?
A. The voltage should be increased
B. The voltage should be decreased
C. The window should be widened
D. The window should be moved - answer A. The voltage should be increased
As voltage is increased, the gamma-ray spectrum moves to the right. Therefore,
increasing the voltage will shift the photopeak toward the window and, if the voltage is
increased sufficiently, into the window.
Which of the following 99mTc-labeled agents is the preferred radiopharmaceutical for
demonstrating intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding?
A. Human serum albumin
B. Red blood cells
C. Lidofenin
D. Sulfur colloid - answer B. Red blood cells
99mTc heat-treated red blood cells (RBCs) and 99mTc-sulfur colloid techniques have
for the most part been replaced by non heat-treated 99mTc labeled red blood cell
procedures for performing GI bleeding studies.
, When the septa are removed and coincidences are recorded between detectors lying in
any ring combination the data are acquired:
A. In hybrid mode
B. In 2D mode
C. In 3D mode
D. In 40 mode - answer C. In 3D mode
The sensitivity in 3D PET is highest in the axial center of the gantry and diminishes
toward the periphery-- the sensitivity of the first and last few slices of a 3D acquisition is
the same as the sensitivity of 2D mode.The boost in sensitivity to true coincidences is
the key motivation for the removal of septa. However, the sensitivity to scatter in
random events in 3D mode also increases considerably.
If a patient receives 99mTc-MAA while in an upright position, which of the following
statements most likely represents what will be seen on the perfusion lung images.
A. Increased tracer activity in the lung apices
B. Decreased tracer activity throughout both lungs
C. Decrease tracer activity in the lung bases
D. Decrease tracer activity in the lung apices - answer D. Decrease tracer activity in
the lung apices
Technetium 99mTc-MAA should be injected during quiet respiration, with the patient
supine to minimize the normal perfusion gradient between the apex and the lung base.
(When the patient is supine, the effect of gravity, which hinders blood flow to the lung
apices, is minimized, allowing uniform tracer distribution throughout the lung.)
In case of a radioactive spill that involves contamination and life-threatening injuries to
personnel, which of the following actions should be given priority?
A. Confinement of the radioactive spill
B. Decontamination of the victim
C. Notification of the radiation safety officer
D. Medical treatment of the seriously injured - answer D. Medical treatment of the
seriously injured
Medical treatment for life-threatening conditions always takes precedence over any
other activity. To prevent the spread of contamination, the victim can be wrapped in a
sheet for transport to the treatment area.
A vial of 67Ga-citrate is calibrated to contain 5 mCi at 0600, Pacific Standard Time on
March 8th. How much activity does the vial contain on March 9th at 1200, Eastern
Standard Time?
