Radiopharmacy

Question 1

Radioactivity

Answer 1

the process by which the of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting ionizing radiation.

Question 2

Nuclear notation

Answer 2

describing any atom by referencing the nucleus mass and energy

Question 3

Isotope

Answer 3

describing elements with the same nucleus and the same number of protons but varying numbers of neutrons

Question 4

Radioactive transformation

Answer 4

radioactive unstable element transforms to a less unstable or more stable element.

Question 5

Units of Measurement

Answer 5

Curie (Ci): 1 Curie is defined as 3.7×1010 nuclear transformations per second or disintegrations per second (dps). Becquerel (Bq): 1 Becquerel is equivalent to 1 disintegration per second.

Question 6

Half life

Answer 6

the time required for a radionuclide to decay by 50% of its original radioactivity. Can also be the time required for 50% of the radioactive atoms to decay.

Question 7

Alpha particles

Answer 7

• He Nucleus has two neutrons, 2 protons and a charge of 2+
• Emitted from nuclei of radioactive atoms
• Transfer from short distances (50 to 90 um in tissue)
• Shielded by paper or layer of skin
• Primary damage from internal exposure to tissues

Question 8

Beta Particles

Answer 8

• Small electrically charged particle with a negative charge or a positive charge
• Ejected from nuclei of radioactive atoms
• Emitted with Ke
• Shielded by low density materials such as plastic or wood.
• Can cause tissue damage (skin burns)

Question 9

Gamma Photons

Answer 9

• Electromagnetic photons or radiation
• Emitted from nuclei or radioactive atoms
• Emitted with kinetic energies related to radioactive source
• Highly penetrating
• High density shielding required (lead, tungsten, concrete)
• External radiation hazards

Question 10

X rays

Answer 10

• Overlap with gamma rays in wavelength
• Electromagnetic photons or radiation
• Produced from orbital electrons of radioactive atoms
• Emitted with various energies and wavelengths
• Highly penetrating
• High density shielding required (lead, tungsten and concrete)
• External radiation hazards

Question 11

Auger electrons

Answer 11

• Small electrically charged particle with a negative charge
• Ejected from orbital electrons of radioactive atoms
• Relatively lower KE than B particles

Question 12

Ideal properties for diagnostic isotopes

Answer 12

• Readily available (7 days a week)
• Low production costs
• Short half life
• Good physical properties: gamma rays for imaging
• No particulate emissions
• Allows high specific activity labeling
• Reproducible chemistry
• Candidates of these diagnostics include: 99, 111, 18, and 68

Question 13

Ideal properties for therapeutic isotopes

Answer 13

• Readily available
• Low production costs
• Physical half life matched to biological application
• Good physical properties: alpha, beta, augur, gamma and X protons for imaging
• Dose rate and range in tissue
• Allow high specific activity in labeling
• Candidates for therapeutics include: 177, 90, 131, and 188

Question 14

Describe applications of targeted/ Molecular imaging or therapy

Answer 14

• Diagnosis of cancer
• Targeted radioligands
• Radioligands to localize tumor
• Killing cancer cells
• Improved imaging for diagnosis, staging/ restaging, monitoring response and interventions to be made.
• Targeted therapy for reduced toxicities.

Question 15

nine general activities encompassing the practice of radio pharmacy

Answer 15

• Procurement and storage
• Radio pharm preparation
• Quality assurance
• Radiopharmaceutical dispense
• Radiopharmaceutical distribution
• Health and safety
• Provision of drug information and consultation
• Monitoring patient outcomes
• Research and development.