CNMT study plan
CNMT · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
General Nuclear Medicine (CNMT) & Nuclear Medicine Advance Associate (NMAA)
List the radiopharmaceuticals commonly used in general nuclear medicine and state the target organ, half-life, and normal biodistribution for each
Differentiate the decay modes (alpha, beta-minus, beta-plus, isomeric transition, electron capture) and match each to an imaging or therapy radionuclide
Explain radiation safety principles (ALARA, time-distance-shielding, contamination control) and apply them to a simulated hot-lab scenario
Describe the NMAA scope of practice, patient identification, and pre-scan screening responsibilities
Your checkpoint
One-page radiopharmaceutical reference table (agent, target, half-life, normal distribution, common indication) plus a 10-item self-quiz scored and corrected
General Nuclear Medicine (CNMT)
Trace the pathway of a radiopharmaceutical from receipt through dose assay, administration, and waste disposal
Interpret QC results for dose calibrators and well counters (constancy, geometry, linearity) and identify when to reject a dose
Explain the mechanism and typical findings of common general NM studies (bone, renal, hepatobiliary, thyroid, GI bleed, V/Q)
Recognize common artifacts and causes of false-positive/false-negative results on planar images
Your checkpoint
Written walkthrough of one complete patient encounter from order to disposal, with QC checkpoints annotated and a 15-question practice set at ≥80%
Computed Tomography (NMTCB(CT), post-primary) & General Nuclear Medicine (CNMT)
Describe CT physics fundamentals: x-ray production, attenuation, Hounsfield units, and window/level display
Explain pitch, collimation, slice thickness, and reconstruction algorithms and how each affects image quality
Identify common CT artifacts (beam hardening, motion, metal, partial volume) and their corrective strategies
Relate CT acquisition parameters to radiation dose and describe dose-reduction techniques
Explain the role of CT for attenuation correction and anatomic localization in hybrid SPECT/CT and PET/CT
Your checkpoint
Annotated CT parameter cheat sheet (kVp, mAs, pitch, slice thickness, kernel) with a 12-question CT practice set at ≥80%
Computed Tomography (NMTCB(CT), post-primary)
Compare contrast media types (iodinated, oral, IV) and state indications, contraindications, and premedication protocols
Outline patient screening, IV access, and contrast administration workflow relevant to the technologist role
Recognize contrast reactions by severity and state the appropriate first response for each
Explain CT quality control tests (water phantom, noise, uniformity, CT number accuracy) and their frequency
Your checkpoint
Contrast safety and reaction-management flowchart plus a completed QC log for a simulated CT scanner, reviewed against a self-made answer key
Milestones
Week 4: Score ≥80% on a 40-question mixed General NM + CT practice exam and correctly explain every missed item in writing
Week 6: Score ≥80% on a 30-question Cardiology practice set and correctly identify stress/rest perfusion patterns for at least 8 of 10 case vignettes
Week 7: Score ≥80% on a 30-question PET practice set and state the uptake pattern for at least 8 of 10 tracer/indication pairs
Week 8: Score ≥80% on a 100-question full-length simulated exam covering all five domains, with a written remediation list for weak areas