ACRR study plan

ACRR · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Clinical Patient Care and Safety

List the key elements of patient identification and verification protocols before radiopharmaceutical administration
Explain the principles of aseptic technique and proper handling of radiopharmaceuticals to minimize infection risk
Describe the management of adverse reactions to radiopharmaceuticals, including anaphylaxis
Identify common patient safety hazards in nuclear medicine and propose mitigation strategies

Create a one-page checklist for patient safety and adverse reaction management in nuclear medicine.

Week 2

Summarize radiation protection guidelines for patients, staff, and the public (e.g., ALARA, time-distance-shielding)
Calculate estimated fetal dose from common radiopharmaceuticals and compare to regulatory limits
Explain the rationale for pregnancy screening and breastfeeding interruption recommendations
Apply dose reduction techniques for pediatric and pregnant patients in nuclear medicine

Develop a patient education handout on radiation safety for breastfeeding mothers.

Week 3

Define key dosimetry quantities (absorbed dose, equivalent dose, effective dose) and their units
Describe the principles of internal dosimetry using the MIRD schema
Calculate radiation dose from external exposure using inverse square law and shielding equations
Interpret dosimetry reports and regulatory dose limits for occupational exposure

Complete a worksheet of 10 dosimetry calculations with step-by-step solutions.

Week 4

Explain the operation and components of gamma cameras and PET scanners
Describe the principles of image acquisition, processing, and reconstruction
Differentiate between photopeak, Compton scatter, and other spectral features in gamma spectroscopy
Troubleshoot common instrumentation issues such as uniformity and sensitivity artifacts

Create a troubleshooting flowchart for gamma camera non-uniformity.

Week 5

Explain the production of radionuclides via generator systems and cyclotrons
Describe the chemistry and preparation of common radiopharmaceuticals (e.g., Tc-99m, F-18, I-131)
Identify quality control tests for radiopharmaceuticals (e.g., radiochemical purity, pH, particle size)
Interpret QC results and determine acceptability for patient administration

Design a QC protocol for a newly received radiopharmaceutical kit.

Week 6

Perform calculations for radiopharmaceutical dose preparation and dilution
Explain the principles of radiation safety in radiopharmacy (e.g., shielding, contamination control)
Describe the regulatory requirements for radiopharmaceutical handling and documentation
Evaluate common radiopharmaceutical quality issues and corrective actions

Complete a set of 10 radiopharmacy calculation problems with 90% accuracy.

Week 7

Summarize NRC regulations (10 CFR Part 35) and other relevant standards for nuclear medicine
Explain the role of accreditation bodies (e.g., ACR, Joint Commission) and their requirements
Describe professional ethics and scope of practice for nuclear medicine technologists
Identify documentation and reporting requirements for incidents and adverse events

Create a summary table of key regulatory requirements and corresponding documentation.

Week 8

Score at least 80% on a 100-question comprehensive practice exam.

Week 4: Complete a 50-question mixed quiz covering Domains 1-3 with a score of 75% or higher.

Week 6: Complete a 50-question quiz covering Domains 2-4 with a score of 75% or higher.

Week 8: Achieve a score of 80% or higher on a full-length practice exam covering all domains.