Course Title: NM 300 Nuclear Cardiology & EKG Interpretation
Clock Hours: 48 Didactic Hours
Quarter Units: 4 Quarter Credits
Co-Prerequisites: NM 100 Introduction to Nuclear Medicine Technology
NM 101 Introduction to Radiation Safety and Physics
NM 102 Clinical Education I
NM 200 Radiopharmaceuticals
NM 201 Physics and Instrumentation in Nuclear Medicine
NM 202 Clinical Education II
Instructor: David M. Totah
Office Hours:
Contact Info:
Required Text Book
Confirm office hours with instructor and by appointment
Office: (510) 231-5053
Textbook Title: 1. Nuclear Medicine Technology and Techniques; Christian and Bernier
Course Description
2. Physics and Radiobiology; Saha
3. Principles of Radiopharmacy; Saha
This course is designed to provide the student with the theory and principles of nuclear medicine cardiac imaging. It includes a comprehensive examination of cardiovascular terminology, pathology, and computer analysis. ECG interpretation and comprehension of life-threatening and dangerous cardiac rhythms are also examined.
Course Approach
1.
This course will consist of lecture/demonstrations including class participation facilitated by the instructor.
Reading assignments will precede each lecture.
2.
Laboratory exercises will be used to demonstrate practical experience.
3.
Handouts, visual aids, schematics, radiographs and other images will be used to facilitate the learning process.
4.
In addition to scheduled evaluations, periodic reviews will be conducted.
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5.
A rotation of a commercial radio-pharmacy is included this quarter to enhance practical experience.
Course Objectives
Objectives of this course are to
1.
Present the theories and principles of nuclear medicine cardiac imaging;
2.
Examine cardiovascular terminology, pathology, and computer analysis;
3.
Introduce EKG interpretation of life-threatening and dangerous cardiac rhythms.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
1.
Describe anatomy, electrophysiology, coronary artery distribution, and blood flow through the heart and lungs.
2.
Correlate the walls of the left ventricle with the normal coronary arterial distribution. Understand and describe functional terms associated with the heart.
3.
Compare and contrast infarction, ischemia, aneurysm, hibernating and stunned myocardium in relationship to ejection fraction, wall motion and perfusion.
4.
Identify, describe, and/or discuss common indications, clinical findings, radiopharmaceuticals, biodistribution, interfering procedures or drugs, patient preparation, equipment, materials, ancillary drugs, procedures and normal & abnormal patterns, and technical pitfalls for the following procedures: a.
First pass (RNA) b.
Perfusion Imaging (planar and SPECT, rest and stress) c.
Gated Blood Pool (MUGA) d.
Infarct Imaging (PYP)
5.
Describe and identify principle EKG patterns. Identify EKG patterns which are contradicted for requested procedure, and/or present concern for patient safety. Choose appropriate line of action concerning EKG abnormalities.
6.
Describe the basic requirements of a cardiac “stress” test and define various exercise physiologic terms.
Choose most appropriate type of stress given patient specifics.
7.
Identify contraindications to stress testing and recommend the most appropriate alternative stress method where applicable.
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8.
Provide appropriate first line patient care.
9.
Correlate the requested study with the appropriate radiopharmaceutical and dose.
Evaluation System
-
The student’s course grade will be based on the following distribution:
Class attendance and participation
Midterm Examination
Final Examination
10% of total grade
40% of total grade
50% of total grade
KPSAHS Grading Policy
Letter
Grade
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
KPSAHS Academic Policies
Percentage in Performance
94-100
90-93
88-89
84-88
80-83
78-79
70-77
Grade Points
4.00
3.70
3.30
3.00
2.70
2.30
2.00
Department Grading Policy:
The average grade of all practical exams must be 70% or greater to gain credit for this course. The final grade is based upon passing (separately) the written exams and practical exams. One grade is assigned for the entire course. A final grade of “F” will be assigned to students averaging less than 70% in either the written or practical exams.
Cheating and Plagiarism:
Any form of cheating or plagiarism is serious and will not be tolerated. Academic achievement and proficiency in a subject matter cannot be achieved through cheating and/or plagiarism. Any student, who knowingly cheats, plagiarized and allows/aids another student in cheating or plagiarism will receive up to and/or including the following:
 A failing grade on a single assignment, test, and/or final course grade
 Suspension or dismissal from the program
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Honesty is a necessary trait in all health professionals. KPSAHS expects all students to practice honest and ethical behavior. Inability to fulfill this expectation will result in dismissal from the program.
Attendance Policy And Exam Make-Up Policy:
As stated in the Student Handbook, students are expected to attend all classes and labs. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. A sign-in sheet is used to record daily attendance. It is the student’s responsibility to sign in at each class (failure to do so will constitute an absence). Students are required to maintain
90% attendance in the course. Students who miss 10% will have their course grade lowered one full grade. Students who fail to attend 11% - 20% of the didactic time will have their course grade lowered two full grades. Any student who misses more than 20% will receive a failing grade for the course and may be subject to further disciplinary action. Extenuating circumstances should be brought to the attention of the instructor.
* Two absences OR more than two tardies OR a combination of the two will result in a deduction of one letter
grade.
The student is responsible for contacting his/her instructor to determine whether make-up work must be completed.
Furthermore, the student is responsible for gathering lecture notes from a student peer.
Students who are absent on a test day must notify the instructor by phone prior to the exam in order to be allowed to take the exam at a later date. It is at the discretion of each individual instructor as to whether or not an exam can be made-up, regardless of the reason for the absence. The student will be expected to take the exam on the day of return and will have their test grade reduced by one. Failure to take any exam may result in an incomplete grade for the course. Only one exam may be taken late after an excused absence. If an exam is missed due to an unexcused absence, it may not be made up and a zero grade will be given for that exam. An unannounced quiz missed due to any type of absence may not be made up and a zero grade will be assigned. Assignments submitted one day late will receive 50% of the total earned grade. Assignments submitted after that will receive no grade.
Students absent on the day an assignment is due shall be prepared to turn in their assignment on return.
The final exam for this class will be given at the time and date specified and must be taken at that time.
Classroom Management
Use of all electronic devices is prohibited during class. Students found to be using such devices in class (or leaving lecture to respond to phone calls, texts, or pages) will be asked to leave the class and an absence will be documented for that day.
Devices to record lectures will be allowed at the discretion of the instructor.
There are no bathroom breaks during tests or quizzes.
Finals Week Attendance and Testing Policy
1. All final exams will be comprehensive in content.
2. Students should not schedule any activities which conflict with finals week activities: e.g. - plan out of town trips, schedule medical or dental appt., plan family activities, or other events which will prevent attendance during the entire finals week.
3. The scheduled time for exam(s) will be determined for each quarter. This schedule will be strictly adhered to for all written exams. Lab practical exams are scheduled during the quarter.
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4. Mandatory attendance for all students is required. Failure to attend due to an unexcused absence for the scheduled exam will result in a zero and an “F” being assigned and averaged into the final grade for the course.
5. Students with an excused absence (documented medical emergency) will not be allowed to take the exam at a later date, but instead will be assigned a grade based upon all grades earned to date for that course.
6. There are no bathroom breaks allowed during the final exam.
Instructional Outline
Week Topic Reading
Assignment
Week 1
Week 2
Anatomy & Physiology
EKG Interpretation
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Electrocardiology of the Heart and Cardiac Radiopharmaceuticals
Cardiac Techniques/Procedures
Tc99m Pyrophosphate Imaging
Midterm Examination
Review Midterm and Gated Blood Pool Imaging
Week 8
Week 9
Cardiac SPECT & Planar Imaging
Cardiac Catheterization
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
PET Imaging & Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital Heart Disease cont. & final exam review
Final Examination
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