Lesson 1Injection Technique to Minimise Extravasation: Vein Selection, Tourniquet Use, Aspiration Check, Flushing, and Securing Injection SiteThis part discusses intravenous injection methods to reduce extravasation risks, covering vein choice, tourniquet application, aspiration, flushing, and site stabilisation, plus identifying, recording, and handling infiltration incidents.
Patient assessment and vein selection criteriaTourniquet placement and vein visualisationAspiration check and slow, steady injectionSaline flush technique and line patency checksSecuring the injection site and patient positioningRecognising and documenting infiltrationsLesson 2Contamination Control and Surveys: Wipe Tests, Use of Survey Meters, Frequency, Acceptable Limits, and Action LevelsThis part tackles contamination control in nuclear medicine, including regular surveys, wipe tests, acceptable thresholds, and response measures, with focus on records, decontamination techniques, and prevention approaches.
Types of contamination and common sourcesUse and limitations of survey metersPerforming and interpreting wipe testsSurvey frequency and regulatory expectationsAction levels, decontamination, and re-surveyRecordkeeping and trend analysis for hotspotsLesson 3Dose Calculations Using Time, Activity, and Patient Weight: Weight-Based Adjustments, Decay Correction, and Paediatric/Obese ConsiderationsThis part reviews dose calculation techniques based on time, activity, and patient weight, including weight-adjusted dosing, decay adjustments, and modifications for paediatric and obese patients within protocol and regulatory guidelines.
Basic activity, time, and decay relationshipsUsing decay factors and half-life tablesWeight-based adult dosing calculationsPaediatric dosing and minimum activity limitsAdjustments for obese or very small adultsChecking calculations against protocol rangesLesson 4Common Radiopharmaceuticals and Administration Routes: Tc-99m Sestamibi/Tetrofosmin for Myocardial Perfusion (IV), Tc-99m MDP for Bone Scan (IV); Typical Adult Activity RangesThis part examines frequently used technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals, their uses, administration methods, and standard adult activity levels, stressing proper selection, labelling, and documentation for heart and bone imaging.
Tc-99m sestamibi: indications and adult dose rangeTc-99m tetrofosmin: indications and adult dose rangeTc-99m MDP: indications and adult dose rangeIntravenous administration steps and checksContraindications and common adverse reactionsDocumentation of product, lot, and administered doseLesson 5Dose Calibrator Operation: Daily Background Check, Constancy Test, Geometry Considerations, Setting Correct Isotope and Time-of-Measurement CorrectionsThis part outlines routine dose calibrator operations, such as background checks, constancy tests, geometry factors, isotope settings, and time corrections, emphasising quality control records and problem-solving.
Daily background and constancy proceduresQuarterly accuracy and linearity testing basicsGeometry dependence and volume considerationsSelecting correct isotope and calibration factorTime-of-measurement and decay correctionsQC documentation, trends, and troubleshootingLesson 6Activity Verification Steps: Measuring Drawn and Administered Activity, Syringe Technique, Tare Weight Method, and DocumentationThis part describes verifying activity pre- and post-administration with a dose calibrator, including syringe methods, residual measurements, tare techniques, and precise recording in patient files.
Pre-injection activity measurement in calibratorSyringe positioning and reproducible geometryMeasuring residual activity after injectionTare method for syringe and shield correctionsCalculating net administered activityRecording activity, time, and technologist IDLesson 7Post-Injection Precautions for Patients: Restroom Use, Hydration, Discharge Instructions, and Breastfeeding GuidanceThis part covers vital post-injection advice, such as restroom use, hydration, contact limits, and breastfeeding tips, to lower radiation exposure to others while supporting image quality.
Immediate restroom use and bladder emptyingHydration strategies to enhance tracer clearanceLimiting close contact with infants and pregnant womenWritten discharge instructions and key counselling pointsBreastfeeding interruption and milk storage guidanceWhen to escalate concerns to the nuclear medicine physicianLesson 8Safe Handling and Transport of Radiopharmaceuticals: Vial Handling, Needle/Syringe Best Practices, Use of Lead Shielding and Dose TraysThis part details safe handling, packaging, and transport of radiopharmaceuticals, focusing on vial management, syringe prep, shielding, labelling, and regulations to cut exposure and avoid errors.
Receiving, unpacking, and inspecting shipmentsVial handling, venting, and aseptic techniqueNeedle and syringe selection and secure assemblyUse of lead pigs, syringe shields, and dose traysLabelling, transport containers, and DOT categoriesSpill prevention during preparation and transportLesson 9Radiation Protection Principles (ALARA): Time, Distance, Shielding Applied to Technologist Workflow and Room LayoutThis part applies ALARA principles of time, distance, and shielding to workflows, room designs, and patient scheduling, offering practical ways to reduce staff dose and meet regulatory standards.
Time minimisation during high-exposure tasksMaximising distance using layout and toolsOptimising shielding for staff and public areasRoom design, hot lab zoning, and traffic flowUse of dosimeters and review of exposure reportsPregnant worker considerations and declarations
