Final answer:
The key health risk in administering a PET scan is the exposure to radiation from radiopharmaceuticals. These substances are used to visualize the functional activity of tissues and are particularly helpful in diagnosing conditions such as cancer by highlighting areas of increased metabolic activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main health risk to consider when administering a PET scan is the release of radiation due to the radiopharmaceuticals used in the procedure. PET scans involve injecting, swallowing, or inhaling radioactive substances, known as radiotracers, to image the function of body tissues. These radiotracers emit positrons that interact with electrons in the body, producing gamma rays that are then detected by the scanner to create detailed images of the body's metabolic activity. It is essential to be cautious with radiation exposure; although the radiopharmaceuticals are designed to be short-lived and relatively safe, there is still a small potential risk of radiation-induced effects. Therefore, PET scans are conducted quickly after administration of radiopharmaceuticals to minimize radiation dose and potential risks.
Positron emission tomography is particularly useful for diagnosing and monitoring various health conditions, such as cancer metastasis, by observing the metabolic activity in tumors. For instance, a commonly used tracer is 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, which accumulates in metabolically active tissues like cancer cells, allowing doctors to detect and evaluate the spread of the disease.