Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

In PET scanning, what substance is often used for tracing?

1. Chlorine gas

2. Anesthetic agents

3. Radioactive glucose

4. Oxygen isotopes

The correct answer is: Radioactive glucose

In PET scanning, radioactive glucose is utilized due to its ability to highlight areas of metabolic activity within the body, particularly in tissues like the brain or tumors. The process involves introducing a radiolabeled form of glucose, such as fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which accumulates in areas with high metabolic demands. Since cancer cells typically exhibit increased glucose uptake, this property allows for effective visualization of tumors, aiding in both diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Additionally, the use of radioactive glucose is significant because it provides real-time insight into the physiological functioning of tissues rather than just their anatomical structure, as seen in other imaging modalities. Thus, for assessments involving metabolic processes, radioactive glucose is the preferred tracer in PET scans.