UTC Clinical Procedures & Protocols 2

Question 1

When performing a transabdominal pelvic ultrasound, why is a full urinary bladder required?

Accepted Answer

It prevents bowel gas from obscuring the uterus and ovaries

Answer

A full bladder acts as an acoustic window, displacing bowel gas and providing a fluid path for sound waves to reach pelvic structures.

Question 2

A patient presents with right upper quadrant pain and jaundice. Which ultrasound protocol should be prioritized first?

Accepted Answer

Hepatobiliary ultrasound

Answer

Jaundice with RUQ pain indicates possible biliary obstruction, making hepatobiliary ultrasound the priority to evaluate the liver, bile ducts, and gallbladder.

Question 3

During a carotid duplex exam, the sonographer identifies a heterogeneous plaque at the bifurcation. What is the next appropriate step?

Accepted Answer

Document with grayscale imaging and add color/spectral Doppler through the area

Answer

Standard protocol requires documenting plaque morphology with grayscale then assessing hemodynamic significance with color and spectral Doppler.

Question 4

Which patient preparation is standard before an abdominal aorta ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

NPO for 4–6 hours to reduce bowel gas

Answer

Fasting for 4–6 hours minimizes bowel gas that can obscure the aorta and its branches, improving image quality.

Question 5

When scanning a patient for a suspected DVT in the lower extremity, which technique is applied to verify vein compressibility?

Accepted Answer

Applying gentle transducer pressure perpendicular to the vessel

Answer

Normal veins fully collapse with gentle transducer compression; non-compressibility is the primary criterion for DVT diagnosis.

(UTC) Ultrasound Technologist Certification Practice Test

(UTC) Ultrasound Technologist Certification Practice Test

UTC Clinical Procedures & Protocols 2