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. Which imaging technique is inserted into the esophagus for close-up views? → Transesophageal echocardiography
3. What should a sonographer do if a patient reports chest pain during an exam? → Stop the exam and alert medical staff
4. Which echocardiographic feature best distinguishes cardiac tamponade from constrictive pericarditis? → Right ventricular diastolic collapse in tamponade
5. What is the normal range for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by echocardiography? → 52–72%
6. What is the role of the sinoatrial (SA) node? → Initiates electrical impulses in the heart
7. Which protocol ensures safety during transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)? → Monitor vitals and prepare emergency gear
8. What is the most common echocardiographic finding in patients with sarcoidosis involving the heart? → Regional wall motion abnormalities not following a coronary distribution
9. How should CET professionals evaluate new technology tools? → Assess functionality, reliability, security, and alignment with professional needs
10. A patient with rheumatic heart disease most commonly shows which mitral valve echocardiographic pattern? → Thickened leaflets with diastolic doming and commissural fusion
11. What does a TAPSE (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) value of <17mm indicate? → Mildly reduced right ventricular systolic function
12. On a pulsed-wave Doppler spectral display, flow moving toward the transducer is displayed: → Above the baseline
13. 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
14. 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
15. What separates the left and right sides of the heart? → The septum
16. What is the benefit of using contrast agents in echocardiography? → Improve image clarity
17. What is the primary imaging mode used in echocardiography? → 2D imaging
18. On echocardiography, which pattern of ventricular filling is most consistent with constrictive pericarditis? → Respiratory variation in mitral inflow velocities >25%
19. Pulmonary vein Doppler showing blunted systolic (S) wave with predominant diastolic (D) wave and prominent atrial reversal (Ar) suggests: → Elevated left atrial pressure and impaired relaxation grade III or IV
20. What is the apical four-chamber view used to assess? → Atria and ventricles simultaneously
21. What role does documentation play in Certified Echocardiography Technician client communications? → It creates clear records of discussions, decisions, and agreements
22. What is a risk register used for in Certified Echocardiography Technician practice? → Tracking identified risks with their status, controls, and owners
23. What distinguishes risk mitigation from risk avoidance in Certified Echocardiography Technician practice? → Mitigation reduces impact or likelihood while avoidance eliminates the activity entirely
24. Which heart chamber has the thickest walls? → Left ventricle
25. How do CET professionals effectively transfer training knowledge to workplace practice? → Through supervised practice, mentoring, and progressive independence with feedback
26. What does the term 'cardiac output' refer to? → The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute
27. In a patient with Marfan syndrome, which echocardiographic measurement is most critical for surgical planning? → Aortic root diameter at the sinuses of Valsalva
28. In dilated cardiomyopathy, which echocardiographic finding carries the worst prognosis? → Restrictive filling pattern (pseudonormal or restrictive)
29. Which of the following best describes the term 'angle of incidence' in Doppler echocardiography? → The angle between the ultrasound beam and the direction of blood flow
30. How often should risk assessments be reviewed in CET practice? → At regular intervals and whenever significant changes occur