ARRT Nuclear Medicine study plan

Map 15 core studies (bone scan, V/Q, myocardial perfusion, thyroid, renal, hepatobiliary, GI bleed, Meckel's, sentinel node, parathyroid, brain, lung shunt, gastric emptying, RBC, lymphoscintigraphy) to their radiopharmaceutical, adult dose range, patient preparation, and normal biodistribution.

Differentiate the clinical indications, contraindications, and typical findings for each mapped procedure.

Describe positioning, acquisition parameters (static, dynamic, whole-body, SPECT), and common technical artifacts for planar versus tomographic studies.

Explain how each study's result changes patient management for at least one representative pathology per study.

Recall the radiopharmaceutical-to-procedure table closed-book to at least 90% accuracy.

Explain the mechanism of localization for each agent (chemisorption, phagocytosis, active transport, capillary blockade, antigen-antibody, compartmental distribution).

Calculate pediatric dose adjustments by weight and Clark's formula, and verify adult dose ranges against package insert values.

Compare the biodistribution, excretion pathway, and critical organ for the 10 highest-yield agents.

Describe the Mo-99/Tc-99m generator system, elution process, and calculate eluate activity, concentration, and generator efficiency at a given time.

Perform pre-calibration and post-calibration decay calculations for Tc-99m, F-18, I-131, Ga-67, In-111, and Tl-201.

Evaluate radiopharmaceutical quality by describing radiochemical purity testing (paper and TLC), radionuclidic purity, aluminum breakthrough, and pH limits with their acceptance criteria.

Differentiate adverse reactions, drug interactions, and required patient preparation (thyroid blocking, fasting, medication holds) for common agents.

Outline aseptic technique, unit-dose handling, and record-keeping requirements for radiopharmacy operations.

Trace the signal path from scintillation crystal through PMT and pulse-height analyzer, and explain how energy window settings and peaking affect image quality.

Compare parallel-hole, pinhole, converging, diverging, and slant-hole collimators, and select the appropriate collimator for a given radionuclide energy and study.

Describe SPECT acquisition and reconstruction (filtered back projection versus iterative), attenuation correction methods, and PET detector, coincidence, and time-of-flight fundamentals.

Explain CT acquisition parameters and how CT data are used for attenuation correction and anatomic localization in SPECT/CT and PET/CT.

Identify uniformity, center-of-rotation, ring, motion, and truncation artifacts along with their cause and correction.

Calculate radiation exposure using the inverse square law, half-value layer, and time-distance-shielding principles.

Apply NRC and agreement-state dose limits for occupational workers, the public, declared pregnant workers, and breastfeeding patients.

Explain personnel and area monitoring with TLD/OSL badges, survey meters, wipe tests, and their action levels.

Describe spill response, decontamination procedures, and decay-in-storage radioactive waste handling.

Verify posting, labeling, and shielding requirements for restricted and unrestricted areas.

Perform and interpret dose calibrator constancy, linearity, geometry, and accuracy tests and state the tolerance and frequency for each.

State the frequency, tolerance limit, and corrective action for gamma camera uniformity and resolution, well counter, survey meter, and PET daily QC tests.

Describe patient preparation, education, and contraindications for I-131, Sr-89, Ra-223, Y-90 microsphere, and other common therapies.

Explain infection control, extravasation management, and the care of pediatric, pregnant, and breastfeeding patients.

Apply ALARA-based workflow decisions to case scenarios involving staff, family, and public exposure.

Build an error log from every missed item in prior quizzes and rewrite each rationale in your own words.

Rehearse timed math drills covering decay, generator efficiency, pediatric dosing, attenuation, and exposure calculations.

Practice mixed question sets that interleave image interpretation, instrumentation, and radiopharmacy items.

Re-test the specific concepts that were missed most often until each reaches 85% mastery.

Complete two timed full-length mock exams under test-like conditions.

Classify every miss as a knowledge gap, a misread stem, or a calculation slip, and remediate each category.

Recite high-yield flashcards on radiopharmaceuticals, dose limits, and QC tolerances without notes.

Finalize test-day logistics including scheduling, identification, arrival time, and a fatigue-management plan.