[Histonet] HT (ASCP) Exam

[Lee & Peggy Wenk]

Microcurie is not a nickname. Radiation is measured in "curies", or, if the radiation is in a low dose, in "microcuries". (Similar to how distance is measured in "meters", or if in very small distances, "micrometers".) 

A curie is equal to 3.70 x 10(10) (That's 10 to the 10th power = 10 billion) disintegrations per second. If you remember, radioactive chemicals decay/disintegrate, by emitting particles/radiation from their atomic nucleus (proton/neutrons), and eventually turn into a non-radioactive new chemical.

The curies unit of measure therefore applies to any radioactive chemical, such as uranyl acetate, which is used in EM, or could be used with measuring the amount of radiation given off by the radioactive "dyes" used in sentinel lymph nodes, or the radioactive seeds found in prostates that have had brachytherapy.

(In case you are wondering, it was named after Madame Curie, who discovered radium.)

Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
William Beaumont Hospital
Royal Oak, MI 48073
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Histolady710 <@t> aol.com 
  To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
  Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2003 5:06 PM
  Subject: [Histonet] HT (ASCP) Exam


  Question !  What chemical is nicknamed "Microcurie"?  This question is being asked on the HT (ASCP) Exam.  Thanks for your help ! 
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