CET Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. On echocardiography, which finding most strongly suggests non-compaction cardiomyopathy? → Prominent trabeculations with deep intertrabecular recesses in the LV apex
2. A patient with a mechanical mitral valve prosthesis is referred for TEE. Which risk factor requires the most urgent pre-procedure evaluation? → Known esophageal varices
3. When performing a phantom study to evaluate axial resolution, the technician should measure the minimum separation distance at which two targets appear as: → Two distinct, separate reflectors
4. When performing strain imaging using speckle tracking echocardiography, what does a negative longitudinal strain value indicate? → Myocardial shortening during systole
5. When positioning an elderly patient with severe kyphosis for a transthoracic echocardiogram, what is the priority concern? → Preventing pressure injuries and ensuring comfort
6. During a stress echocardiogram, new wall motion abnormalities induced by exercise or pharmacologic stress indicate: → Myocardial ischemia in the territory supplied by a stenotic coronary artery
7. Afterload is most accurately defined as: → The pressure or wall stress the ventricle must overcome during ejection
8. In the context of echocardiography QC, 'accuracy' refers to: → How closely a measurement reflects the true value
9. Which imaging technique is inserted into the esophagus for close-up views? → Transesophageal echocardiography
10. A study reports that 3D echocardiography has a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 88% for detecting apical thrombus. What does specificity of 88% mean? → 88% of patients without thrombus were correctly identified as negative
11. What should a sonographer do if a patient reports chest pain during an exam? → Stop the exam and alert medical staff
12. Which echocardiographic feature best distinguishes cardiac tamponade from constrictive pericarditis? → Right ventricular diastolic collapse in tamponade
13. What is the normal range for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by echocardiography? → 52–72%
14. What is the role of the sinoatrial (SA) node? → Initiates electrical impulses in the heart
15. Which protocol ensures safety during transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)? → Monitor vitals and prepare emergency gear
16. What is the most common echocardiographic finding in patients with sarcoidosis involving the heart? → Regional wall motion abnormalities not following a coronary distribution
17. Which communication protocol is used for real-time monitoring of network device status within a hospital's cardiac imaging network infrastructure? → SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
18. What is the primary purpose of obtaining informed consent before a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)? → To ensure the patient understands the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives
19. In an echo machine's Doppler system, what is the function of the sample volume (range gate) in pulsed wave Doppler mode? → Defines the specific depth and size of the region from which velocity data is sampled
20. Under the False Claims Act, a CET who knowingly bills Medicare for an echocardiogram that was not performed faces: → Civil monetary penalties, treble damages, and possible exclusion from federal programs
21. How should CET professionals evaluate new technology tools? → Assess functionality, reliability, security, and alignment with professional needs
22. An elderly patient becomes confused during the echo. The most appropriate immediate action is to: → Pause, speak calmly and clearly, reorient the patient, and notify the care team
23. Under HIPAA regulations, an echocardiography technician may share patient images with which of the following without a patient's authorization? → Another treating physician involved in the patient's care
24. A patient with rheumatic heart disease most commonly shows which mitral valve echocardiographic pattern? → Thickened leaflets with diastolic doming and commissural fusion
25. What does a TAPSE (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) value of <17mm indicate? → Mildly reduced right ventricular systolic function
26. A new guideline on mitral regurgitation grading is published. According to evidence-based practice principles, what is the FIRST step a CET should take? → Critically appraise the guideline for validity and applicability
27. On a pulsed-wave Doppler spectral display, flow moving toward the transducer is displayed: → Above the baseline
28. In a study comparing 2D and 3D echo for LV volume assessment, the Bland-Altman plot shows a mean bias of +8 mL. What does this indicate? → 3D echo overestimates volumes by 8 mL on average compared to 2D
29. How should an CET professional handle unexpected results that differ from predictions? → Analyze factors, document findings, and adjust the approach based on what was learned
30. In a patient with mitral regurgitation, the vena contracta is best defined as: → The narrowest portion of the regurgitant jet just distal to the orifice