ARDMS SPI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ARDMS SPI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A high-resistance spectral Doppler waveform is characterized by: → Low or absent end-diastolic velocity with a sharp systolic peak
2. What happens to the visual display when a mechanical transducer's PZT crystal is damaged? → Loss of entire image
3. Laminar flow in a vessel is characterized by: → Concentric layers of blood moving at different velocities with fastest flow centrally
4. Harmonic imaging reduces which type of artifact compared to fundamental imaging? → Near-field clutter and side lobe artifacts
5. The Pulsatility Index (PI) is calculated as: → (PSV - EDV) / TAMV
6. What is the primary purpose of adjusting the focal zone position on an ultrasound system? → To maximize lateral resolution at a specific depth
7. Which of the following would be MOST likely to increase the Thermal Index (TI) during a diagnostic ultrasound examination? → Switching from B-mode to Color Doppler
8. The time-averaged mean velocity (TAMV) is the denominator used to calculate which Doppler index? → Pulsatility Index (PI)
9. For refraction of an ultrasound beam to occur at an interface between two tissues, which two conditions must be met? → Different propagation speeds and an oblique angle of incidence.
10. The sonographer increased output power by changing system settings. Which of the subsequent takes place? → Overall gain increases
11. As frame rate goes up, _________ resolution goes up. → Temporal
12. Which of the following describes the piezoelectric effect as it is utilized in an ultrasound transducer during sound wave reception? → Conversion of a pressure wave into an electrical signal.
13. All of the following are established methods for reducing or eliminating aliasing in a color Doppler image EXCEPT: → Increasing the wall filter
14. Which of the subsequent PRF values has the longest PRP? → 7 Hz
15. Increasing sweep speed on the spectral Doppler display primarily affects: → The temporal display of waveforms (stretches or compresses them horizontally)
16. The easiest way to characterize harmonics produced during reflection and requiring the utilization of microbubbles is: → Contrast harmonics
17. What hemodynamic effect does a vessel with increased compliance (elasticity) have on the Doppler waveform? → Dampened pulsatility and smoother waveform
18. The Doppler equation shows that detected frequency shift is zero when the angle between the beam and flow direction is: → 90 degrees (perpendicular)
19. Which of the following is an ergonomic device built into sonographic equipment for the sonographer's musculoskeletal safety? → Monitor articulation
20. Which phantom from the list below does sonographic quality assurance? → Tissue equivalent phantom
21. The pulsatility index (PI) is calculated as: → (PSV − EDV) / mean velocity
22. The spectral window in a normal arterial Doppler waveform represents: → The clear area below the spectral envelope indicating organized laminar flow
23. An artifact that results from excessive color gain is known as: → Color confetti
24. Which clinical finding is associated with markedly increased peak systolic velocity (PSV) at a focal arterial segment? → Focal arterial stenosis with hemodynamic significance
25. The average propagation speed of sound in soft tissue, which is assumed by ultrasound systems for depth calculations, is: → 1540 m/s
26. To optimize lateral resolution at a specific depth of interest, the sonographer should: → Adjust the focal zone to the depth of interest
27. A sonographer switches from a 2.5 MHz transducer to a 5.0 MHz transducer to image a superficial structure. Which type of resolution will be MOST improved? → Axial resolution
28. Dynamic range in ultrasound imaging refers to the ratio of which two signal values? → Highest to lowest detectable echo amplitude
29. Spectral broadening without a visible spectral window in a peripheral artery most likely indicates: → Post-stenotic turbulence or intrinsic vessel disease
30. Which of the following statements is true regarding the relationship between axial and lateral resolution? → Axial resolution remains constant with depth, while lateral resolution varies.