Why is patient hydration important after administering Tc-99m?

• A. It improves patient comfort during imaging
• B. It enhances the taste of the radiopharmaceutical
• C. It aids in renal clearance and minimizes radiation exposure
• D. It increases blood flow for better imaging

Answer: (C)

Patient hydration is crucial after administering Tc-99m because it aids in renal clearance and minimizes radiation exposure. When Tc-99m is introduced into the body, it is essential for the kidneys to effectively eliminate the radiopharmaceutical to reduce the overall radiation dose the patient receives. Adequate hydration increases urine production, which helps flush out the radioactive material more quickly from the system. This not only helps to minimize potential radiation exposure to sensitive organs but also reduces the residency time of the radiopharmaceutical within the body.

In addition to its role in radiation safety, good hydration can also enhance the comfort and well-being of the patient during and after the imaging studies. However, the critical aspect to focus on is the renal clearance facilitated by hydration, which serves to enhance safety and reduce unnecessary radiation exposure.