RVT Quality Assurance and Safety 5

Question 1

The Mechanical Index (MI) displayed on an ultrasound machine is used to estimate the risk of:

Accepted Answer

Cavitation and non-thermal mechanical bioeffects

Answer

Thermal tissue heating from prolonged scanning

Answer

Electromagnetic interference with implanted devices

Answer

Color Doppler aliasing artifacts

Question 2

Which hand hygiene product is considered MOST effective for reducing transmission of Clostridium difficile spores in a vascular laboratory setting?

Accepted Answer

Plain soap and water with thorough rinsing

Answer

Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR)

Answer

Chlorhexidine gluconate foam

Answer

Iodine-based antiseptic scrub

Question 3

A QA audit reveals that a technologist's abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter measurements are consistently 3–4 mm larger than those of other staff. The MOST likely explanation is:

Accepted Answer

Inconsistent measurement technique — measuring outer wall to outer wall versus leading edge to leading edge

Answer

The technologist uses a newer transducer with superior resolution

Answer

The technologist scans a higher-risk patient subset

Answer

Random biological variation in aortic diameter between scan sessions

Question 4

Under HIPAA, which scenario represents a permissible disclosure of patient vascular study results without written authorization?

Accepted Answer

Transmitting images to a consulting physician for treatment purposes

Answer

Sharing results with the patient's employer for an occupational health file

Answer

Discussing findings with the patient's family member without the patient's consent

Answer

Posting anonymized cases on social media for educational purposes

Question 5

A vascular lab's QA program identifies that its sensitivity for detecting >70% internal carotid artery stenosis has dropped from 92% to 78% over one year. The FIRST step in investigation should be:

Accepted Answer

Review whether published velocity criteria or scanning protocols were modified during that period

Answer

Immediately purchase new ultrasound equipment

Answer

Retrain all technologists on Doppler angle correction

Answer

Hire an external consultant to audit the lab

Question 6

Which type of continuing medical education (CME) or continuing education (CE) activity is SPECIFICALLY required to maintain RVT credential through ARDMS?

Accepted Answer

30 CE credits in the registered specialty area every 3 years

Answer

At least 50% of CE credits must be in ethics

Answer

Annual hands-on simulation lab competency demonstration

Answer

Peer-reviewed publication of at least one article per 3-year cycle

Question 7

When a vascular laboratory experiences a near-miss event (an error that was caught before reaching the patient), the BEST institutional response is to:

Accepted Answer

Document the event confidentially, analyze contributing factors, and implement process improvements

Answer

Discipline the staff member involved to deter future errors

Answer

Ignore the event since no patient was harmed

Answer

Report the event only if it recurs a second time