Before administering radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism, which test should be performed?

Before administering radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism, which test should be performed?

• A. Pregnancy test
• B. Complete blood count
• C. Chest X-ray
• D. Urinalysis

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to confirm that the patient is not pregnant before giving radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine concentrates in the thyroid and delivers radiation exposure; if a patient is pregnant, the fetus is at risk of thyroid and developmental damage, so treatment must be withheld until pregnancy is ruled out. A pregnancy test is essential for anyone of childbearing potential prior to RAI therapy. The other tests listed aren’t about pregnancy or fetal safety, so they don’t address the main safety concern with radioactive iodine. A CBC, chest X-ray, or urinalysis might be useful for general pre-treatment assessment, but they don’t determine pregnancy status or fetal risk.

The key idea is to confirm that the patient is not pregnant before giving radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine concentrates in the thyroid and delivers radiation exposure; if a patient is pregnant, the fetus is at risk of thyroid and developmental damage, so treatment must be withheld until pregnancy is ruled out. A pregnancy test is essential for anyone of childbearing potential prior to RAI therapy.

The other tests listed aren’t about pregnancy or fetal safety, so they don’t address the main safety concern with radioactive iodine. A CBC, chest X-ray, or urinalysis might be useful for general pre-treatment assessment, but they don’t determine pregnancy status or fetal risk.