10 Questions
What is the purpose of radionuclides being chemically incorporated into another compound and injected into the body?
For diagnostic imaging purposes
What is the main reason for choosing suitable radionuclides for nuclear imaging?
To minimize radiation effects on the body tissues
What characteristics must radionuclides for radiopharmaceuticals possess?
Readily attachable to transport compounds and low energy emission
What is the purpose of radionuclide generators in the context of medical imaging?
To solve problems associated with short-lived radionuclides
Why are short-lived radionuclides often the agents of choice for nuclear imaging?
They allow the use of sufficient radioactivity while keeping absorbed dose within limits
What term is used to describe an atom with excess nuclear energy, making it unstable?
Radionuclide
Which of the following is NOT a way in which the excess energy of a radionuclide can be used?
Ejected from the nucleus as alpha radiation
Which type of radiation is considered ionizing because it is powerful enough to free an electron from another atom?
Gamma radiation
In which of the following locations can radionuclides be artificially produced?
Nuclear reactors
What is a pharmaceutical drug made with radionuclides called?
Radiopharmaceutical
Study Notes
Radionuclides in Nuclear Imaging
- Radionuclides are chemically incorporated into another compound and injected into the body to allow for visualization of internal structures and functions through nuclear imaging.
Selection of Radionuclides
- The main reason for choosing suitable radionuclides is that they emit radiation at a rate and energy suitable for detection and imaging.
Characteristics of Radionuclides
- Radionuclides for radiopharmaceuticals must possess the following characteristics:
- Emits radiation at a suitable energy and rate
- Has a suitable half-life
- Can be chemically incorporated into a compound
- Is tolerated by the body
Radionuclide Generators
- Radionuclide generators are used to produce short-lived radionuclides that are not feasible to produce through other means, and are used to provide a constant supply of radionuclides for medical imaging.
Advantages of Short-Lived Radionuclides
- Short-lived radionuclides are often the agents of choice for nuclear imaging because they expose patients to lower radiation doses and reduce the risk of radioactive waste.
Radionuclide Definition
- An atom with excess nuclear energy, making it unstable, is called a radionuclide.
Energy Release
- Excess energy of a radionuclide can be used in the following ways:
- Emitting radiation
- Heating a material
- Producing electricity
- Not: boiling water
Ionizing Radiation
- Ionizing radiation is considered powerful enough to free an electron from another atom, and includes alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.
Artificial Production of Radionuclides
- Radionuclides can be artificially produced in:
- Nuclear reactors
- Particle accelerators
Radiopharmaceuticals
- A pharmaceutical drug made with radionuclides is called a radiopharmaceutical.
Test your knowledge about radionuclides and radioactive decay with this quiz. Learn about the properties of radionuclides and how they undergo radioactive decay through the emission of energy or new particles.
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