What is the primary focus of nuclear medicine?

The primary focus of nuclear medicine revolves around the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions using radioactive materials. This field leverages the unique properties of radiopharmaceuticals, which are substances containing radioactive isotopes that can be used to visualize organ function or to treat a variety of diseases.

In diagnostic applications, nuclear medicine techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) allow practitioners to observe physiological processes and identify abnormalities at the cellular level. These imaging techniques provide valuable information that helps in diagnosing conditions like cancer, heart disease, and various neurological disorders, enabling timely and accurate treatment decisions.

In therapeutic applications, nuclear medicine employs radiotherapy to target specific tissues, often in treating cancers. By using high-energy radioactive materials, it can effectively destroy malignant cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This targeted approach is one of the key benefits of using radioactive materials in medical treatment.

Other options like the treatment of infectious diseases, physical rehabilitation, and psychological evaluation do not capture the essence of nuclear medicine, as they address different healthcare disciplines focused on infectious agents, body movement restoration, and mental health assessment, respectively. Thus, the use of radioactive materials for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is distinctly what characterizes nuclear medicine.