Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Standardized Awareness Practice Test

What are radiopharmaceuticals primarily used for?

1. Transportation of dangerous materials

2. Medical testing and treatment

3. Building nuclear weapons

4. Cleaning radioactive waste

The correct answer is: Medical testing and treatment

Radiopharmaceuticals are primarily used for medical testing and treatment, which encompasses a range of applications in healthcare. These specialized compounds contain radioactive isotopes and are designed to diagnose or treat various medical conditions, particularly in the fields of nuclear medicine. In diagnostic applications, radiopharmaceuticals help in imaging procedures, allowing healthcare professionals to visualize the function of organs and systems within the body, such as assessing thyroid function or detecting cancers through techniques like positron emission tomography (PET) scans. They emit radiation that can be detected by imaging devices, providing crucial information about the condition of a patient. In therapeutic contexts, specific radiopharmaceuticals can be employed to treat certain types of cancer by delivering targeted radiation therapy. This approach allows for the destruction of cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, making it a pivotal option in oncology. The other options do not accurately represent the primary uses of radiopharmaceuticals. They are not intended for the transportation of dangerous materials, building nuclear weapons, or cleaning radioactive waste, as these functions fall outside the realm of medical use and application.