Nuclear Medicine Exam UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
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 -
CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT
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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
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 -
CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT
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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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
