UTC Clinical Procedures & Protocols 3

Question 1

A patient with a pacemaker is referred for cardiac echo. Which ultrasound mode requires special caution documentation in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Pulsed-wave Doppler

Answer

While ultrasound does not affect pacemakers the way MRI does, pulsed-wave Doppler produces focused energy bursts; careful documentation ensures the ordering physician is aware of device presence for complete clinical context.

Question 2

During a thyroid ultrasound, a nodule is identified with microcalcifications and taller-than-wide shape. Per ACR TI-RADS guidelines, this most likely corresponds to which category?

Accepted Answer

TR5 – Highly suspicious

Answer

Microcalcifications and a taller-than-wide shape are high-suspicion features in ACR TI-RADS, placing the nodule in the TR5 category.

Question 3

What is the purpose of using harmonic imaging during an abdominal ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

It reduces side-lobe and reverberation artifacts, improving contrast resolution

Answer

Tissue harmonic imaging uses second-harmonic frequencies generated within tissue, which have fewer artifacts from side lobes and reverberation than fundamental frequencies.

Question 4

A pregnant patient at 28 weeks is scanned and the placenta is found to cover the internal os. The appropriate next step in documentation is:

Accepted Answer

Document as placenta previa and note the relationship to the internal os

Answer

A placenta covering the internal os at 28 weeks must be documented as placenta previa with precise description of coverage; further follow-up imaging is determined by the clinical team.

Question 5

Which scanning plane is used to measure the nuchal translucency (NT) during first-trimester screening?

Accepted Answer

Mid-sagittal plane with the fetal neck in a neutral position

Answer

NT measurement requires a strict mid-sagittal view with the fetal neck neither hyperflexed nor hyperextended to obtain an accurate measurement.

(UTC) Ultrasound Technologist Certification Practice Test

(UTC) Ultrasound Technologist Certification Practice Test

UTC Clinical Procedures & Protocols 3