Ultrasound Bioeffects and Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real ARDMS SPI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ultrasound Bioeffects and Safety flashcards as text
Which clinical scenario represents the LOWEST bioeffect risk from diagnostic ultrasound?
Answer: Color Doppler evaluation of a renal transplant in an adult
Adult renal transplant evaluation has no embryonic sensitivity concern and involves tissue with normal repair capacity, making it the lowest-risk scenario listed.
Microstreaming as a non-thermal ultrasound bioeffect is best described as:
Answer: Localized, high-velocity fluid currents generated near an oscillating bubble interface
Microstreaming is the high-shear localized fluid motion that occurs immediately around a cavitating or oscillating bubble, capable of disrupting cell membranes.
According to the AIUM, which statement about ultrasound use for 'entertainment' or 'keepsake' imaging is most appropriate?
Answer: It should be discouraged because it exposes the fetus without medical benefit
The AIUM and FDA discourage keepsake imaging because exposing the developing fetus without a medical indication violates the ALARA principle and provides no clinical benefit.
The peak rarefactional pressure of an ultrasound pulse is most relevant to which type of bioeffect?
Answer: Mechanical cavitation
Peak rarefactional (negative) pressure determines whether dissolved gas can expand explosively to form cavitation bubbles, making it the key parameter for mechanical bioeffects.
A research study reports a 'free-field' ISPTA value versus a 'derated' ISPTA.3 value. Which statement is correct?
Answer: Derated values are lower because they account for tissue attenuation between the transducer and target
Derated (ISPTA.3) values are calculated by applying 0.3 dB/cm/MHz attenuation to free-field water measurements, producing a lower, more clinically realistic intensity estimate.
Which structure absorbs the most ultrasound energy per unit length and therefore poses the greatest risk of localized heating?
Answer: Cortical bone
Cortical bone has a very high attenuation coefficient (absorption >> soft tissue), causing disproportionate energy absorption and localized heating at the bone surface.
What is the primary reason pulsed Doppler is considered higher risk than B-mode for thermal bioeffects?
Answer: Pulsed Doppler has a higher duty factor and keeps the beam stationary at the sample volume
Pulsed Doppler's high duty factor combined with a fixed, stationary sample volume concentrates time-averaged acoustic energy in a small region, substantially increasing local heating risk.