Week 9 - FOCUS Cardiac Ultrasound

Question 1

What is the first step to successful scanning in ultrasound?

Answer 1

Selecting the correct transducer

Question 2

What can you use ultrasound for to identify signs and symptoms of heart failure?

Answer 2

Ventricular systolic function
Abnormal chamber size
Increased wall thickness
Valvular abnormalities

Question 3

What is the ideal positioning for focus cardiac ultrasound?

Answer 3

Left lateral decubitus and supine position

Left upper extremity extended

Question 4

What are the cardiac window views for ultrasound?

Answer 4

Parasternal Long Axis
Parasternal Short Axis
Apical Four-Chamber
Subcostal
IVC Assessment

Question 5

How is the transducer positioned for a parasternal long axis view?

Answer 5

Lateral to the sternum
3rd - 4th intercostal space
Orientation indicator pointed toward pt’s right shoulder

Question 6

What ultrasound window view provides the best image of the mitral and aortic valve?

Answer 6

Parasternal long axis

Question 7

How is the transducer positioned for a parasternal short axis view?

Answer 7

Transducer placed lateral to the sternum
3rd - 4th intercostal space
Orientation indicator pointed to patient’s left shoulder

Question 8

What structures are seen in a parasternal short axis view?

Answer 8

Concentric view of the left ventricle

Tilting the transducer cephalad to caudad will show the mitral valve and papillary muscles

Question 9

How is the transducer positioned for an apical four chamber view?

Answer 9

• Palpate the pt’s apical pulse
• Transducer placed in the intercostal space and directed medially
• Orientation indicator facing the provider’s right

Question 10

What ultrasound view provides the best imaging of all the chamber of the heart?

Answer 10

Apical Four-Chamber

Question 11

How is the transducer positioned for a subcostal view?

Answer 11

Transducer placed subxiphoid
Transducer face directed cephalad and slightly oblique to the pt’s left
Orientation indicator facing the provider’s right

• liver provides an acoustic window
• most difficult image to obtain

Question 12

How is the transducer positioned for an IVC assessment?

Answer 12

Transducer placed subxiphoid, just lateral to midline
Transducer directed cephalad
Orientation indicator facing cephalad

Question 13

What is included in the functional assessment for a focus cardiac ultrasound?

Answer 13

• Ventricular wall thickening
• Ventricular volume changes
• Valve movement
• Pericardial effusion