Part 1: Patient care, Safety, and Communication

Question 1

What action below would be most in keeping with the ALARA principle while performing a diagnostic ultrasound examination?
a. allow multiple students to scan an obstetric patient because the fetus is in a good position for imaging
b. prolong the sonographic examination to make videos of the fetus for each family member
c. complete the diagnostic scan in a timely fashion at the lowest output power that achieves a quality image.
d. maximize the acoustic output to brighten the overall image
e. extend the sonographic examination beyond the intended scope of the exam requisition

Answer 1

c

Question 2

During performance of an obstetric ultrasound exam, you adjust the system parameters to improve the image. Which of the following parameters would increase acoustic exposure?
a. increase receiver gain
b. increase TGC
c. Increase frequency
d. Increase transmit power
e. Increase frame averaging (persistence)

Answer 2

d

Question 3

To minimize the risk of biologic effects of ultrasound to the fetus, which imaging mode tradeoff would be most applicable?
a. use M-mode instead of pulsed-wave Doppler to measure the fetal heart rate
b. Use color Doppler instead of power Doppler to image the umbilical cord
c. Use pulsed-wave Doppler instead of power Doppler to evaluate the fetal heart
d. Use harmonics instead of fundamental to image the fetal spine
e. all of the above

Answer 3

a

Question 4

What potential bioeffect occurs through absorption of sound energy by tissue?

Answer 4

heating

Question 5

When practicing universal precautions, you should do all of the following EXCEPT:
a. wear gloves when there is a potential for contact with patient bodily fluids
b. change gloves when moving from one patient to another
c. wash hands immediately after gloves are removed
d. wear face masks or eye protection whenever there is a possibility of blood splashing into your face
e. Wash gloves between exams for reuse from one patient to another

Answer 5

e