ABR NMP study plan
ABR NMP · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Nuclear Medical Physics (Part 2 specialty content)
Map the Nuclear Medical Physics Part 2 content outline into a personal topic checklist with confidence ratings
Derive decay equations and equilibrium relationships from first principles without notes
Solve 15 decay/activity problems covering parent-daughter ingrowth and transient vs secular equilibrium
Build a one-page reference sheet of decay constants, half-lives, and unit conversions
Your checkpoint
Completed topic checklist with confidence ratings plus worked solutions to 15 decay problems
Nuclear Medical Physics (Part 2 specialty content)
Explain photon interactions (photoelectric, Compton, pair production) and their energy dependence in detector and patient contexts
Compare scintillation detector systems (NaI, LSO/LYSO, GSO) by light output, decay time, and energy resolution
Describe gamma camera collimator geometry and compute resolution/sensitivity tradeoffs for parallel-hole collimators
Interpret pulse-height spectra and identify photopeak, Compton edge, and backscatter features
Your checkpoint
Written comparison table of detector materials and collimator types with at least 10 solved quantitative items
Nuclear Medical Physics (Part 2 specialty content)
Derive image quality metrics (spatial resolution, contrast, SNR, noise) and their interdependence
Perform SPECT reconstruction reasoning: filtered backprojection vs iterative, attenuation and scatter correction
Compute SUV and explain quantitative PET calibration, normalization, and dead-time effects
Analyze artifacts (ring, star, motion, attenuation mismatch) and trace each to a physical cause
Your checkpoint
Artifact-and-correction troubleshooting guide with 12 case-style entries and computed examples
Nuclear Medical Physics (Part 2 specialty content)
Quantify internal dosimetry using the MIRD schema and time-activity curve integration
Calculate absorbed dose for common therapeutic radionuclides and compare to tolerance limits
Apply radiation safety limits (occupational, public, embryo/fetus) to clinical scenarios
Work 20 mixed quantitative problems under timed conditions
Your checkpoint
Timed 20-question quantitative problem set with self-scored answer key and error log
Nuclear Medical Physics (Part 2 specialty content) & Professionalism and Ethics
Review radiopharmacy quality control tests (radionuclidic purity, radiochemical purity, sterility) and acceptance criteria
Summarize regulatory framework (NRC 10 CFR Part 35, medical event definitions, written directive requirements)
Draft a study outline linking safety regulations to professionalism obligations
Identify remaining weak content areas from the week 4 error log
Your checkpoint
Regulatory quick-reference card covering medical event criteria and written directive requirements
Professionalism and Ethics
Apply the core ethical principles (beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, justice) to nuclear medicine physics scenarios
Analyze informed consent, patient communication, and disclosure obligations in case vignettes
Distinguish roles and boundaries among physicist, authorized user, RSO, and technologist
Evaluate conflicts of interest, research integrity, and data reporting standards
Your checkpoint
Eight written ethics case analyses each applying a named principle and citing the governing obligation
Professionalism and Ethics & Nuclear Medical Physics (Part 2 specialty content)
Interpret scope-of-practice, supervision levels, and delegation rules for medical physics work
Analyze quality assurance program oversight responsibilities and documentation duties
Practice communicating a safety concern or error to a physician and administrator in role-play format
Revisit two weakest domain 1 topics flagged in earlier weeks
Your checkpoint
Two scripted communication scenarios with written debrief notes and a supervision-level decision matrix
Nuclear Medical Physics (Part 2 specialty content) & Professionalism and Ethics
Complete two full-length timed practice exams mixing both domains
Categorize every missed item by root cause (knowledge gap, misread, calculation error, concept confusion)
Re-drill the top 20 missed concepts until each is explained aloud without notes
Finalize exam-day logistics, timing strategy, and a one-page last-review sheet
Your checkpoint
Completed error analysis with 20 re-drilled concepts and a finalized one-page last-review sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 70% on a self-made 20-item detector/collimator quiz and explain all missed items aloud
Week 4: Complete the timed 20-question quantitative set within 40 minutes with at least 75% accuracy
Week 6: All eight ethics case analyses written and each maps to a specific principle and regulatory or professional obligation
Week 8: Achieve at least 75% on both full-length practice exams with every missed item categorized and re-drilled