生命中的一天
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在核医学中, technologists 使用 radionuclides—unstable atoms that emit radiation spontaneously— to diagnose and treat disease. Radionuclides are purified and compounded to form radiopharmaceuticals.
Nuclear medicine technologists perform quality assurance on equipment and administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients and then monitor the characteristics and functions of tissues or organs in which the radioactive drugs have localized. Abnormal areas show higher-than-expected or lower-than-expected concentrations of radioactivity.
Nuclear medicine differs from other diagnostic imaging technologies beca使用 it determines the presence of disease on the basis of cellular metabolic changes rather than changes in organ structure or anatomy. Nuclear medicine technologists operate scintillation "gamma" cameras that detect and map the radioactive drug in a patient’s body to create vivid diagnostic images. After explaining the test procedures to patients, technologists prepare a dosage of the radiopharmaceutical and administer it by mouth, 注射, 吸入, 或者其他方式. The technologist would next position patients under the gamma camera, 或“扫描仪,” which creates images of the distribution of a radiopharmaceutical as it localizes in, 发射光子, 病人的身体. The technologist processes and manipulates the images on a computer and when completed are printed or sent electronically via a PACS system to the physician to interpret.
When preparing radiopharmaceuticals, technologists adhere to safety standards that keep the radiation exposure as low as possible to workers and patients. Technologists keep patient records and document the amount and type of radionuclides that they receive, 使用, 和丢弃.
Physical stamina is important beca使用 nuclear medicine technologists are on their feet much of the day and may have to lift or turn disabled patients. 除了, technologists must operate complicated equipment that requires mechanical ability and manual dexterity.
Although the potential for radiation exposure exists in this field, it is minimized by the 使用 of shielded syringes, 手套, and other protective devices and by adherence to strict radiation safety guidelines. The amount of radiation in a nuclear medicine procedure is comparable to that received during a diagnostic x-ray procedure. Technologists also wear badges that measure radiation levels. Beca使用 of safety programs, badge measurements rarely exceed established safety levels.
Nuclear medicine technologists generally work a 40-hour week, perhaps including evening or weekend hours, in departments that operate on an extended schedule. Opportunities for part-time and shift work also are available. 除了, technologists in hospitals may have on-call duty on a rotational basis, and those employed by mobile imaging services may be required to travel to several locations.