Echocardiogram Testing and Quality Assurance 3

Question 1

Which of the following is a key indicator that a transducer element has failed during QA testing?

Accepted Answer

A dark band or dropout artifact in the image

Answer

Increased frame rate

Answer

Improved lateral resolution

Answer

Decreased acoustic output

Question 2

What does the term 'dynamic range' refer to in echocardiography system performance testing?

Accepted Answer

The ratio of the largest to smallest signal amplitudes the system can display

Answer

The range of transducer frequencies available

Answer

The maximum frame rate achievable

Answer

The depth range over which the focal zone is effective

Question 3

A QA protocol requires checking 'slice thickness' (elevation resolution). Which phantom feature is used for this test?

Accepted Answer

Anechoic spherical targets at varying depths

Answer

Wire targets arranged laterally

Answer

Pin targets arranged axially

Answer

A gel block with no internal targets

Question 4

Which document should a sonographer consult to understand acceptable QA performance tolerances for a specific echocardiography unit?

Accepted Answer

The equipment manufacturer's service manual and QA specifications

Answer

The patient's medical record

Answer

The hospital formulary

Answer

The OSHA safety guidelines

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of recording baseline QA measurements when a new echocardiography system is first installed?

Accepted Answer

To establish reference values for detecting future performance degradation

Answer

To satisfy billing requirements

Answer

To program the system's default settings

Answer

To calibrate the Doppler color scale

Question 6

During color Doppler QA, a technician observes that aliasing occurs at lower-than-expected velocities. The most likely cause is:

Accepted Answer

PRF set too low, reducing the Nyquist limit

Answer

PRF set too high for the imaging depth

Answer

Incorrect transducer frequency

Answer

Inadequate acoustic output power

Question 7

Which of the following best describes 'contrast detail' performance in echocardiography QA?

Accepted Answer

The system's ability to distinguish low-contrast lesions from background tissue

Answer

The system's ability to display two closely spaced point targets as separate

Answer

The maximum depth at which the system can image

Answer

The accuracy of spectral Doppler waveform timing