UTC Ultrasound Technologist Patient Care & Safety Protocols 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which standard precaution applies when the sonographer anticipates contact with blood or body fluids?
- Wear gloves only if visible contamination is present
- Don gloves, gown, and eye protection as indicated (Correct answer)
- Use a mask at all times in the ultrasound room
- Wash hands only after patient contact
Correct answer: Don gloves, gown, and eye protection as indicated
Standard precautions require appropriate PPE—gloves, gown, and eye protection—whenever contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated.
Question 2: The mechanical index (MI) is a measure of the potential for:
- Tissue heating during ultrasound exposure
- Cavitation and non-thermal bioeffects (Correct answer)
- Depth of ultrasound penetration
- Frame rate reduction at high frequencies
Correct answer: Cavitation and non-thermal bioeffects
The mechanical index quantifies the likelihood of cavitation, which is the primary non-thermal bioeffect of diagnostic ultrasound.
Question 3: When transporting an immobile patient to the ultrasound department, the sonographer must ensure the patient's IV line is:
- Clamped during transport to prevent fluid delivery
- Secured and patent, with the IV bag above the insertion site (Correct answer)
- Removed and reinserted after the exam
- Switched to a gravity drip before moving
Correct answer: Secured and patent, with the IV bag above the insertion site
IV lines must be secured and patent during transport, with the bag elevated above the insertion site to maintain proper flow and prevent backflow.
Question 4: A patient states they did not fast before their abdominal ultrasound. The most appropriate response is to:
- Proceed with the exam and document that bowel gas may limit views (Correct answer)
- Cancel the exam without documenting the reason
- Reschedule without notifying the radiologist
- Administer simethicone to improve visualization
Correct answer: Proceed with the exam and document that bowel gas may limit views
The sonographer should proceed while documenting the lack of preparation, noting that bowel gas may limit visualization, and inform the radiologist.
Question 5: Hand hygiene using an alcohol-based hand rub is NOT appropriate when hands are visibly soiled with:
- Blood
- Gel from a previous patient
- Transducer coupling agent
- Blood or body fluids (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Blood or body fluids
When hands are visibly contaminated with blood or body fluids, hand washing with soap and water is required rather than alcohol-based hand rubs.
Question 6: During a carotid Doppler exam, the patient suddenly develops dysarthria and right arm weakness. The sonographer should FIRST:
- Continue scanning and document symptoms
- Stop the exam and activate the emergency response system immediately (Correct answer)
- Reposition the transducer to obtain better images
- Administer aspirin from the exam room supply
Correct answer: Stop the exam and activate the emergency response system immediately
Dysarthria and unilateral weakness are stroke signs; the sonographer must immediately stop the exam and activate emergency response.
Question 7: What is the purpose of using sterile technique during intraoperative ultrasound-guided procedures?
- To improve image resolution by reducing artifacts
- To prevent introduction of microorganisms into the surgical field (Correct answer)
- To allow the sonographer to touch sterile instruments freely
- To reduce the thermal output of the transducer
Correct answer: To prevent introduction of microorganisms into the surgical field
Sterile technique during intraoperative ultrasound prevents surgical site infections by maintaining a pathogen-free environment.
UTC Ultrasound Technologist Patient Care & Safety Protocols 3
Which standard precaution applies when the sonographer anticipates contact with blood or body fluids?