Nuclear Medicine Technology Exam Blueprint

Number of questions – 185 4 hour exam – computer-based delivery

Question type – Multiple choice / independent Knowledge / comprehension questions – 30%

Application / Critical thinking questions – 70%

Competencies tested on the Nuclear Medicine Technology certification exam and percentage weighting for testing purposes

Section A Professional Practice 1-4%

A.1 Legal and Ethical Requirements
A.1.1 Practice in a manner that recognizes patient’s legal rights.
A.2 Use of Resources
A.2.1 Prioritize workflow to optimize patient care.

Section B Patient Management 3-7%

B.1 Patient Safety
B.1.1 Transfer patient safely.
B.1.2 Utilize immobilization devices.
B.1.3 Assess and respond to any changes in patient condition.
B.1.4 Recognize medical emergencies, and respond.
B.2 Patient Assessment and Care
B.2.1 Assess patient for contraindications to procedure and respond.
B.2.2 Adapt procedures based upon patient’s physical and cognitive condition.
B.2.3 Provide care for patient's physiological needs.
B.2.4 Provide patient interventions as listed in Appendix 1.
B.2.5 Advise patient of necessary post-procedure follow-up.

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Section C Health and Safety 9-13%
C.1 Infection Control and Materials Handling
C.1.1 Employ routine practices for infection control
C.1.2 Employ transmission-based precautions
C.1.3 Follow standardized procedures for patients with compromised immunity
C.1.4 Use aseptic technique
C.1.5 Use sterile technique
C.1.6 Follow standardized procedures for handling and disposing of sharps, and contaminated and
biohazardous materials
C.2 Radiation Safety Practices
C.2.1 Apply ALARA principles.
C.2.2 Implement safe practices to minimize radiation dose to personnel
C.2.3 Implement safe practices to minimize radiation dose to patients
C.2.4 Monitor personal radiation exposure and respond
C.2.5 Perform thyroid screening
C.2.6 Receive nuclear substances
C.2.7 Prepare nuclear substances for transportation
C.2.8 Store nuclear substances
C.2.9 Dispose of nuclear substances
C.2.10 Perform and assess wipe tests
C.2.11 Perform and assess area monitoring
C.2.12 Perform leak testing for sealed sources
C.2.13 Perform area commissioning
C.2.14 Perform area decommissioning
C.2.15 Implement procedure for radioactive spill
C.3 Emergency procedures
C.3.1 Recognize radiation emergency situations and respond

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Section D Operation of Equipment – Scintillation Detectors 1-4%
D.1 Physics and Instrumentation
D1.1 Apply knowledge of operational components of scintillation detectors
D.2 Equipment Operation
D.2.1 Operate scintillation detector
D.2.2 Select parameters to optimize images and data
D.3 Equipment Quality Control
D.3.1 Perform quality control procedures on scintillation detectors as listed in Appendix 2 of profile
D.3.2 Evaluate equipment performance of quality control procedures listed in Appendix 2 of profile
D.4 Image and Data Quality
D.4.1 Evaluate diagnostic quality of image and data and respond
D.4.2 Evaluate technical quality of image and data and respond
D.4.3 Evaluate image artefacts and respond
D.4.4 Verify visibility and accuracy of markers and annotation
D.4.5 Perform post-acquisition processing

Section E Operation of Equipment – Gamma Cameras 3-7%

E.1 Physics and Instrumentation
E.1.1 Apply knowledge of operational components of gamma camera
E.2 Equipment Operation
E.2.1 Operate gamma camera
E.2.2 Select parameters to optimize images and data
E.3 Equipment Quality Control
E.3.1 Perform quality control procedures on gamma camera
E.3.2 Evaluate equipment performance of quality control procedures listed in Appendix 2 of profile
E.4 Image and Data Quality
E.4.1 Evaluate diagnostic quality of image and data and respond
E.4.2 Evaluate technical quality of image and data and respond
E.4.3 Evaluate image artefacts and respond
E.4.4 Verify visibility and accuracy of markers and annotation
E.4.5 Perform post-acquisition processing

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Section F Operation of Equipment – Dose Calibrators 1-4%
F.1 Physics and Instrumentation
F.1.1 Apply knowledge of operational components of dose calibrators
F.2 Equipment Operation
F.2.1 Operate dose calibrator
F.2.2 Select parameters to optimize images and data
F.3 Equipment Quality Control
F.3.1 Perform quality control procedures on dose calibrators as listed in Appendix 2 of profile
F.3.2 Evaluate equipment performance of quality control procedures listed in Appendix 2 of profile
F.4 Image and Data Quality
F.4.1 Evaluate diagnostic quality of image and data and respond
F.4.2 Evaluate technical quality of image and data and respond
F.4.3 Evaluate image artefacts and respond
F.4.4 Verify visibility and accuracy of markers and annotation
F.4.5 Perform post-acquisition processing

Section G Operation of Equipment – Survey Meters 1-4%

G.1 Physics and Instrumentation
G.1.1 Apply knowledge of operational components of survey meters
G.2 Equipment Operation
G.2.1 Operate survey meters
G.2.2 Select parameters to optimize images and data
G.3 Equipment Quality Control
G.3.1 Perform quality control procedures on survey meters as listed in Appendix 2 of profile
G.3.2 Evaluate equipment performance of quality control procedures listed in Appendix 2 of profile
G.4 Image and Data Quality
G.4.1 Evaluate diagnostic quality of image and data and respond
G.4.2 Evaluate technical quality of image and data and respond
G.4.3 Evaluate image artefacts and respond
G.4.4 Verify visibility and accuracy of markers and annotation
G.4.5 Perform post-acquisition processing

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Section H Operation of Equipment – PET Scanner 2-6%
H.1 Physics and Instrumentation
H.1.1 Apply knowledge of operational components of PET scanner
H.2 Equipment Operation
H.2.1 Operate PET scanner
H.2.2 Select parameters to optimize images and data
H.3 Equipment Quality Control
H.3.1 Perform quality control procedures on PET scanner as listed in Appendix 2 of profile
H.3.2 Evaluate equipment performance of quality control procedures listed in Appendix 2 of profile
H.4 Image and Data Quality
H.4.1 Evaluate diagnostic quality of image and data and respond
H.4.2 Evaluate technical quality of image and data and respond
H.4.3 Evaluate image artefacts and respond
H.4.4 Verify visibility and accuracy of markers and annotation
H.4.5 Perform post-acquisition processing

Section I Operation of Equipment – CT Scanner 2-6%

I.1 Physics and Instrumentation
I.1.1 Apply knowledge of operational components of CT Scanner
I.2 Equipment Operation
I.2.1 Operate CT scanner
I.2.2 Select parameters to optimize images and data
I.3 Equipment Quality Control
I.3.1 Perform quality control procedures on CT scanner as listed in Appendix 2 of profile
I.3.2 Evaluate equipment performance of quality control procedures listed in Appendix 2 of profile
I.4 Image and Data Quality
I.4.1 Evaluate diagnostic quality of image and data and respond
I.4.2 Evaluate technical quality of image and data and respond
I.4.3 Evaluate image artefacts and respond
I.4.4 Verify visibility and accuracy of markers and annotation
I.4.5 Perform post-acquisition processing

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Section J Operation of Equipment – Bone Mineral Densitometer 1-3%
J.1 Physics and Instrumentation
J.1.1 Apply knowledge of operational components of bone mineral densitometer
J.2 Equipment Operation
J.2.1 Operate bone mineral densitometer
J.2.2 Select parameters to optimize images and data
J.3 Equipment Quality Control
J.3.1 Perform quality control procedures on bone mineral densitometer as listed in Appendix 2 of profile
J.3.2 Evaluate equipment performance of quality control procedures listed in Appendix 2 of profile
J.4 Image and Data Quality
J.4.1 Evaluate diagnostic quality of image and data and respond
J.4.2 Evaluate technical quality of image and data and respond
J.4.3 Evaluate image artefacts and respond
J.4.4 Verify visibility and accuracy of markers and annotation
J.4.5 Perform post-acquisition processing

Section K Radiopharmacy and Laboratory Procedures 10-14%

K.1 Radiopharmacy storage
K.1.1 Ensure correct storage of radiopharmaceuticals, non-radioactive supplies and kits
K.2 Radionuclide Generator
K.2.1 Perform elute quality control and respond
K.2.2 Calculate predicted generator yield
K.3 Radiopharmaceutical Preparation
K.3.1 Prepare radiopharmaceuticals
K.3.2 Schedule generator elutions to meet kit requirements and department needs
K.3.3 Prepare radiopharmaceuticals in accordance with work schedule requirements
K.3.4 Radiolabel autologous re blood cells for re-injection
K.3.5 Radiolabel autologous leukocyctes for re-injection
K.4 Radiopharmaceutical Quality Control
K.4.1 Perform radiopharmaceutical quality control and respond

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K.4.2 Determine acceptability of particulate radiopharmaceutical preparation for clinical use and respond
K.4.3 Assess sterility results
K.4.4 Assess apyrogencity results
K.5 Radiopharmaceutical Dispensing
K.5.1 Dispense radiopharmaceuticals safely and accurately
K.6 General Laboratory Procedures
K.6.1 Prepare standard /stock solution

Section L - Cardiovascular System 8-12%

L.1 Clinical Principles
L.1.1 Apply knowledge of anatomy, relational anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system
L.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies and anomalies listed in Appendix 3 of the profile
L.1.3 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmacologic and dietary agents as listed in Appendix 4 of profile
L.2 Diagnostic Procedures
L.2.1 Plan procedure to optimize patient outcome
L.2.2 Perform technical preparation
L.2.3 Perform patient preparation
L.2.4 Administer or assist with administration of radiopharmaceutical or radiation dose in accordance with
protocol
L.2.5 Position patient using anatomical landmarks and knowledge of relational anatomy to best
demonstrate anatomical structures / pathologies
L.2.6 Perform diagnostic procedure
L.2.7 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
L.2.8 Recognize patterns consistent with common pathologies and abnormal results
L.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further images and data are required
L.3 Pharmaceutical Administration
L. 3.1 Assess for contraindications to contrast media and respond
L.3.2 Prepare contrast media
L.3.3 Apply knowledge of pharmaceutical preparation administration and contraindications
L.3.4 Administer pharmaceuticals

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L.4 ECG Procedures (12 lead)
L.4.1 Plan procedure to optimize patient outcome
L.4.2 Place electrodes using anatomical landmarks
L.4.3 Perform procedure in accordance with protocol
L.4.4 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
L.4.5 Distinguish patterns consistent with common pathologies and abnormal results
L.4.6 Evaluate results to determine if further action is required

Section M - Gastrointestinal System 4-8%

M.1 Clinical Principles
M.1.1 Apply knowledge of anatomy, relational anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal system
M.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies and anomalies listed in Appendix 3 of the profile
M.1.3 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmacologic and dietary agents as listed in Appendix 4 of
profile, as related to clinical procedures in Appendix 5 of profile.
M.2 Diagnostic Procedures
M.2.1 Plan procedure to optimize patient outcome
M.2.2 Perform technical preparation
M.2.3 Perform patient preparation
M.2.4 Administer or assist with administration of radiopharmaceutical or radiation dose in accordance with
protocol
M.2.5 Position patient using anatomical landmarks and knowledge of relational anatomy to best
demonstrate anatomical structures / pathologies
M.2.6 Perform diagnostic procedure
M.2.7 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and variants
M.2.8 Distinguish patterns consistent with common pathologies and abnormal results
M.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further images and date are required
M.3 Pharmaceutical Administration
M.3.1 Assess for contraindications to contrast media and respond
M.3.2 Prepare contrast media
M.3.3 Apply knowledge of pharmaceutical preparation administration and contraindications
M.3.4 Administer pharmaceuticals

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Section N - Genitourinary System 4-8%
N.1 Clinical Principles
N.1.1 Apply knowledge of anatomy, relational anatomy and physiology of the genitourinary system
N.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies and anomalies listed in Appendix 3 of the profile
N.1.3 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmacologic and dietary agents as listed in Appendix 4 of profile
as related to clinical procedures in Appendix 5 of profile.
N.2 Diagnostic Procedures
N.2.1 Plan procedure to optimize patient outcome
N.2.2 Perform technical preparation
N.2.3 Perform patient preparation
N.2.4 Administer or assist with administration of radiopharmaceutical or radiation dose in accordance with
protocol
N.2.5 Position patient using anatomical landmarks and knowledge of relational anatomy to best
demonstrate anatomical structures / pathologies
N.2.6 Perform diagnostic procedure
N.2.7 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
N.2.8 Distinguish patterns consistent with common pathologies and abnormal results
N.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further images and data are required
N.3 Pharmaceutical Administration
N.3.1 Assess for contraindications to contrast media and respond
N.3.2 Prepare contrast media
N.3.3 Apply knowledge of pharmaceutical preparation administration and contraindications
N.3.4 Administer pharmaceuticals

Section O - Skeletal System 7-11%

O.1 Clinical Principles
O.1.1 Apply knowledge of anatomy, relational anatomy and physiology of the system
O.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies and anomalies listed in Appendix 3 of the profile
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O.1.3 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmacologic and dietary agents as listed in Appendix 4 of profile
as related to clinical procedures in Appendix 5 of profile.
O.2 Diagnostic Procedures
O.2.1 Plan procedure to optimize patient outcome
O.2.2 Perform technical preparation
O.2.3 Perform patient preparation
O.2.4 Administer or assist with administration of radiopharmaceutical or radiation dose in accordance with
protocol
O.2.5 Position patient using anatomical landmarks and knowledge of relational anatomy to best
demonstrate anatomical structures / pathologies
O.2.6 Perform diagnostic procedure
O.2.7 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
O.2.8 Distinguish patterns consistent with common pathologies and abnormal results
O.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further images and data are required

Section P - Inflammatory Process, Tumour & Lymph 7-11%

P.1 Clinical Principles
P.1.1 Apply knowledge of anatomy, relational anatomy and physiology of inflammatory processes,
tumours and the lymph system
P.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies and anomalies listed in Appendix 3 of the profile
P.1.3 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmacologic and dietary agents as listed in Appendix 4 of profile
as related to clinical procedures in Appendix 5 of profile.
P.2 Diagnostic Procedures
P.2.1 Plan procedure to optimize patient outcome
P.2.2 Perform technical preparation
P.2.3 Perform patient preparation
P.2.4 Administer or assist with administration of radiopharmaceutical or radiation dose in accordance with
protocol
P.2.5 Position patient using anatomical landmarks and knowledge of relational anatomy to best
demonstrate anatomical structures / pathologies

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P.2.6 Perform diagnostic procedure
P.2.7 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
P.2.8 Distinguish patterns consistent with common pathologies and abnormal results
P.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further image and data are required
P.3 Pharmaceutical Administration
P.3.1 Assess for contraindications to contrast media and respond
P.3.2 Prepare contrast media
P.3.3 Apply knowledge of pharmaceutical preparation, administration and contraindications
P.3.4 Administer pharmaceutical

Section Q - Central Nervous System 2-4%

Q.1 Clinical Principles
Q.1.1 Apply knowledge of anatomy, relational anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system
Q.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies and anomalies listed in Appendix 3 of the profile
Q.1.3 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmacologic and dietary agents as listed in Appendix 4 of profile
as related to clinical procedures in Appendix 5 of profile.
Q.2 Diagnostic Procedures
Q.2.1 Plan procedure to optimize patient outcome
Q.2.2 Perform technical preparation
Q.2.3 Perform patient preparation
Q.2.4 Administer or assist with administration of radiopharmaceutical or radiation dose in accordance with
protocol
Q.2.5 Position patient using anatomical landmarks and knowledge of relational anatomy to best
demonstrate anatomical structures / pathologies
Q.2.6 Perform diagnostic procedure
Q.2.7 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
Q.2.8 Distinguish patterns consistent with common pathologies and abnormal results
Q.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further action is required

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Section R - Endocrine System 4-8%
R.1 Clinical Principles
R.1.1 Apply knowledge of anatomy, relational anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system
R.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies and anomalies listed in Appendix 3 of the profile
R.1.3 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmacologic and dietary agents as listed in Appendix 4 of profile
as related to clinical procedures in Appendix 5 of profile.
R.2 Diagnostic Procedures
R.2.1 Plan procedure to optimize patient outcome
R.2.2 Perform technical preparation
R.2.3 Perform patient preparation
R.2.4 Administer or assist with administration of radiopharmaceutical or radiation dose in accordance with
protocol
R.2.5 Position patient using anatomical landmarks and knowledge of relational anatomy to best
demonstrate anatomical structures / pathologies
R.2.6 Perform diagnostic procedure
R.2.7 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
R.2.8 Distinguish patterns consistent with common pathologies and abnormal results
R.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further action is required
R.3 Therapeutic Procedures
R.3.1 Plan procedure to optimize patient outcome
R.3.2 Perform technical preparation
R.3.3 Perform patient preparation
R.3.4 Confirm patient understanding of post-therapy instructions
R.3.5 Perform therapeutic procedure
R.4 Pharmaceutical Administration
R.4.1 Apply knowledge of pharmaceutical preparation administration and contraindications
R.4.2 Administer pharmaceuticals

Section S - Respiratory System 1-4%

S.1 Clinical Principles
S.1.1 Apply knowledge of anatomy, relational anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system
S.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies and anomalies listed in Appendix 3 of the profile

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S.1.3 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmacologic and dietary agents as listed in Appendix 4 of profile
as related to clinical procedures in Appendix 5 of profile.
S.2 Diagnostic Procedures
S.2.1 Plan procedure to optimize patient outcome
S.2.2 Perform technical preparation
S.2.3 Perform patient preparation
S.2.4 Administer or assist with administration of radiopharmaceutical or radiation dose in accordance with
protocol
S.2.5 Position patient using anatomical landmarks and knowledge of relational anatomy to best
demonstrate anatomical structures / pathologies
S.2.6 Perform diagnostic procedure
S.2.7 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
S.2.8 Distinguish patterns consistent with common pathologies and abnormal results
S.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further action is required

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