Echocardiogram Patient Care and Safety in Echocardiography 3

Question 1

A patient reports a known allergy to ultrasound coupling gel. What is the best alternative action?

Accepted Answer

Use mineral oil or a hypoallergenic gel after confirming its ingredients

Answer

Use sterile saline as a coupling medium

Answer

Proceed without gel and increase gain

Answer

Cancel the examination

Question 2

Which of the following represents proper documentation practice after completing an echocardiographic study?

Accepted Answer

Electronically document patient identifiers, study date, indications, and any adverse events

Answer

Record findings verbally to the ordering physician only

Answer

Store only the digital images without a written report

Answer

Document findings on a notepad and discard after reporting

Question 3

What is the recommended minimum fasting period for a patient undergoing a TEE with moderate sedation?

Accepted Answer

Nothing by mouth for at least 4–6 hours for solids and 2 hours for clear liquids

Answer

1 hour for all food and liquids

Answer

2 hours for solids only

Answer

Fasting is not required for TEE

Question 4

During a dobutamine stress echocardiogram, which finding requires immediate termination of dobutamine infusion?

Accepted Answer

New wall motion abnormality develops

Answer

Heart rate reaches 85% of maximum predicted

Answer

Systolic blood pressure rises to 150 mmHg

Answer

Patient reports mild chest discomfort that resolves immediately

Question 5

How should an echocardiography technician handle a needle-stick injury that occurs during an IV contrast echocardiogram setup?

Accepted Answer

Apply pressure, wash the wound, report to occupational health, and follow the facility's exposure protocol

Answer

Apply a bandage and continue the examination

Answer

Soak the wound in antiseptic for 30 minutes before reporting

Answer

Self-administer prophylactic antibiotics

Question 6

Which of the following is the correct method for disposing of used ultrasound coupling gel containers in a standard clinical setting?

Accepted Answer

Dispose of in regular (non-hazardous) waste after ensuring the container is empty

Answer

Discard in a sharps container

Answer

Autoclave before disposal

Answer

Return to the manufacturer for biohazard processing

Question 7

What is the purpose of applying a defibrillation-safe protocol when performing echocardiography on a patient with an implanted pacemaker?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that emergency defibrillation can be performed safely by positioning pads away from the device

Answer

To prevent the ultrasound probe from demagnetizing the pacemaker

Answer

To disable the pacemaker temporarily during imaging

Answer

To increase ultrasound frequency settings for better imaging near metal