ARDMS SPI - ARDMS Sonography Principles and Instrumentation Ultrasound Bioeffects and Safety Questions and Answers

Question 1

A sonographer is performing an obstetric ultrasound on a patient in her second trimester.
The on-screen display shows a Thermal Index for Bone (TIB) of 1.2.
According to the ALARA principle, which of the following actions is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Decrease the acoustic output power and minimize the dwell time over any single area.

Answer

Continue scanning as planned, as this value is within acceptable limits.

Answer

Immediately cease the examination and consult with the radiologist.

Answer

Switch to the Soft-Tissue Thermal Index (TIS) to obtain a lower reading.

Question 2

The Mechanical Index (MI) is an on-screen indicator of the potential for which ultrasound bioeffect?

Accepted Answer

Cavitation

Answer

Tissue heating

Answer

Radiation force

Answer

Microstreaming

Question 3

Which of the following would be MOST likely to increase the Thermal Index (TI) during a diagnostic ultrasound examination?

Accepted Answer

Switching from B-mode to Color Doppler

Answer

Increasing the receiver gain

Answer

Decreasing the imaging depth

Answer

Using a lower frequency transducer

Question 4

A sonographer is scanning a patient with a known lung consolidation. They should be particularly mindful of the Mechanical Index (MI) because:

Accepted Answer

Gas bubbles present in the lung are nuclei for cavitation.

Answer

Consolidated lung tissue is more susceptible to overheating.

Answer

The MI is always highest in the far field of the image.

Answer

Thermal effects are amplified in air-filled structures.

Question 5

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, which principle should sonographers always follow to minimize patient exposure to ultrasound energy?

Accepted Answer

The As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) Principle

Answer

The Principle of Maximum Intensity

Answer

The Inverse Square Law Principle

Answer

The Doppler Shift Principle

Question 6

There are three main variations of the Thermal Index (TI) displayed on ultrasound systems. Which variant is specifically designed for use when scanning through or near bone, such as in second or third-trimester obstetric exams?

Accepted Answer

TIB (Bone Thermal Index)

Answer

TIC (Cranial Bone Thermal Index)

Answer

TIS (Soft Tissue Thermal Index)

Answer

TIG (General Thermal Index)