A radionuclide scan can image organs, bones, and other parts of the body by using substances called radionuclides. Radionuclides (also called tracers) are a chemical that emit a type of radioactivity called gamma rays. Nuclear scans help doctors diagnose many cancers, injuries, and infections. They can also show how organs like your heart and lungs are working. They are different from a X-ray and MRI because nuclear scans generate pictures based on the body’s chemistry rather than on physical shapes and forms.
A radionuclide scan can be done for many reasons. Some of which include bone, kidney, lung, heart, and thyroid scans. A bone scan is one of the more common types, which is used to find areas of bone where there is damage, infection, or even cancer. They can be seen as ‘hot …show more content…
Minimizing the amount of time in a radiation field and increasing the distance from the radiation source will decrease the amount of radiation received. The use of lead shielding will absorb the radiation transmitted.
It is important for a technologist to monitor how much radiation they are being exposed to. To do this, they wear badges that measure how radiation you are being exposed to. The technologist can wear a film badge, which should be worn between the shoulders & waist. Also, they wear a ring badge, which should be worn on the forefinger on their dominant hand. Badges are read monthly or quarterly.
The incidence of any adverse reaction to a nuclear medicine scan is very rare. For the most part, nuclear scans are safe tests. Some people might suffer from pain or swelling at the site where the material is injected. Always ask the female patient if she could be pregnant. If she is you may want to postpone the study. This should be discussed with her physician and/or radiologist. If the woman is breastfeeding, the study may be done. She will have to “pump and dump” her milk for 24