CRS 417 Nuclear Medicine Procedures IV
Fall 2023

Mark H. Crosthwaite Office # 828-3264 Cell# 855-7406
Location: TR 9:00 am - 10:10 am in Rm 1000
Office Hours: M-1300 to 1500, W-1300 to 1600, and R-1300 to 1600

Course Description
CLRS 417 Nuclear Medicine Procedures IV Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CLRS 319 with a minimum grade of C. Presents the techniques employed in the performance of advanced nuclear medicine procedures. Topics include anatomy and physiology, pathology, patient preparation, contraindications, radiopharmaceuticals, dose route of administration, biodistribution, imaging protocols, equipment setup, and common findings.

1. Christian, et al Nuclear Medicine And PET/CT Technology and Techniques, 8th edition St. Louis, 2017 Mosby/Elsevier
2. Procedures Standards Binder can be purchased at the SNMMI website for $79 (member prices)
3. Use VCU Libraries to find and access library resources, spaces, technology and services that support and enhance all learning opportunities at the university - link https://www.library.vcu.edu/

Grade Scale
93 - 100% - A
85 -   92   - B
77 -   84   - C *
69 -   76   - D
Below 68 - F
* Minimum passing grade

Exams and Assignment Policy

1. Exams will encompass information discussed during lectures, handouts given in class, and homework/reading assignment.  Failure to take an exam on a scheduled exam day will automatically cause a 5% deduction from the total letter grade.  Make-up must be scheduled and completed ASAP, so that the entire class has the opportunity to review the results.  The only exception given to this policy will be if the student has made other arrangements with the instructor.
2. There will be Kahoot presentations throughout the semester that will occur at the beginning of class. Kahoot will be completed within the first 5 minutes of class. If you are in attendance and take participate you will receive 100%. Failure to show up means that a zero for the grade. If you get a zero, the first one will be dropped from your course grade.
3. The use of Kahoot will also supplement the quizzes and will be administered at the beginning of class. To get credit you just need to be attending class.
4. The Department Chair establishes policies and schedules for the CLRS final exams. The Department Chair must approve any changes regarding scheduling the course final exam. A penalty may be imposed for missing a scheduled final exam.
5. Any assignment or homework given in class must be completed in a time designated by the instructor.  Late assignments will not be accepted.
6. This is one of the professional courses in which the lowest passing grade is “C”.

Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory. Failure to take a Kahoot quiz at the beginning of the class will result in a zero.

Course Requirements

1. Regular class attendance.  If absent it is your responsibility to get handouts, notes and any other information presented.
2. Reading assignments
3. Complete all exams
4. Final exam
5. Perform all assigned homework/ projects/ assignments/ articles as assigned

VCU Honor System
Students are responsible for being familiar with and adhering to the VCU Honor Code and student conduct policy  as outlined in the current VCU Resource Guide, available at: https://conduct.students.vcu.edu/vcu-honor-system/

Religious Holiday
If you have a religious that requires you to miss call you must tell the instructor, no later than September 1^st, per University policy. See Academic Calendar.

ADA Policy:
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require VCU to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities.  Students seeking academic adjustments or accommodations must self-identify with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities on the appropriate campus.  After meeting with the Coordinator, students are encouraged to meet with instructors to discuss their needs and, if applicable, any laboratory safety concerns related to their disabilities.

Policy Regarding Calculators
The Department of Radiation Sciences will only allow use of non-programmable (non-graphing) calculators.  Students will not be allowed to use programmable (graphing) calculators during any type of examination.  In addition, students will not be allowed to share calculators during any examination.

Please refer to the VCU ADA policy in the Division for Academic Success, available at https://das.vcu.edu/

Policies Regarding the Academic Calendar and Course Schedule

• The Department of Radiation Sciences abides by the VCU academic calendar for the MCV campus (see http:www.vcu.edu/academiccalendars/)

• Add following statement:  The Department of Radiation Sciences abides by the VCU academic calendar for the MCV campus (see http://www.vcu.edu/academiccalendars/)

How to Prepared for Emergencies at VCU

1. Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts (http://www.vcu.edu/alert/notify).  Keep your information up-to-date.
2. Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
3. Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities.
4. Know where to go for additional emergency information (http://www.vcu.edu/alert).
5. Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234).
6. Report suspicious activities and objects.

Students should visit syllabus statement by the Office of the Provost for additional syllabus information: https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/faculty-resources/syllabus. The full university syllabus statement includes information on safety, registration, the VCU Honor Code, student conduct, withdrawal and more

Course Objectives (Applies to all organ/systems studied)

1. Describe
1. The anatomy/physiology and method of radiopharmaceutical localization in the target organ/system.
2. The common pathologic disorders being diagnosed by the various nuclear exams discussed.
3. Normal pathologic distribution of radiopharmaceuticals and image interpretation of such.
4. Common abnormal study findings.
5. Biologic, physical, and effective half-life as it relates to organ dose and image quality.
6. Modifications of the study for use in pediatric patients.
2. Explain
1. Instrumentation parameters and requirements.
2. Acquisition protocol: including views, sequencing, end-point, etc.
3. Common artifacts encountered with each study.
4. Primary photon energies/half-life used with the appropriate imaging agent.
3. Identify
1. Specific radionuclide for each nuclear medicine procedure presented.
2. The rationale for radiopharmaceutical selection.
3. Indications for the study.
4. Optimal organ localization time for appropriate imaging sequence.
5. Patient positioning and landmarks.
6. Study type for the acquisition: SPECT, dynamic, planar, etc.
4. State
1. Patient preparation.
2. Correct dose amount for an adult.
3. Correct route of administration of the appropriate radiopharmaceutical.
4. Computer data acquisition and processing parameters.

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