The Role of a Nurse in Nuclear Medicine

Abstract

Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that uses radioactive materials or radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat disease. Nurses in nuclear medicine are an integral part of the multidisciplinary care team. Role of the nurses can be catagorized into two parts including fundamental and specialized care to the patient. The fundamental care is the primary role for nurses includes caring groups of patients in the phases of pre, intra and post-intervention. The specialized care is delivered to some groups of patient include patients who are scheduled for cardiac and oncology study; thyroid therapy; and pediatric investigation under anesthesia. This informative article presents an overview of information regarding the role of nurses working in the field of nuclear medicine that is an evolving field and not known to many nurses. They illustrate the knowledge and skills of nursing science with nuclear medicine required to carry out their role while ensuring quality care and the safety of each patient and health care professional involved.