SPI Ultrasound Physics Exam Practice
Questions with Correct Answers
The sonographer may avoid aliasing by altering the: - ANSWERSimage depth
Which statement regarding the differences between pulsed and continuous wave
Doppler is NOT correct? - ANSWERSCW Doppler offers significantly improved range
resolution.
The coupling gel used for ultrasound exams provides the same function as what
transducer component? - ANSWERSmatching layer
What is the frequency of a transducer with a 10mm element, 14kHz PRF and a
propagation speed of 5 millimeters / microsecond? - ANSWERS2.5MHz
Which of the following correctly describes the positive predictive value (PPV) of a
testing technique? - ANSWERSIf the test result is positive, PPV is the probability that
the patient actually has the disease
What console setting can be changed to adjust the propagation speed of the transmitted
wave? - ANSWERSNone of the above. Propagation speed is determined by the
properties of the media it travels through. There is no way to adjust the propagation
speed unless you scan a different media.
Which of the following characteristics of an LCD monitor determines the spatial
resolution of the 2D image? - ANSWERSnumber of pixels
Some US systems allow you to adjust the beam thickness or slice thickness.
Decreasing the slice thickness will primarily improve ___________________ resolution.
- ANSWERSElevational
Which operator control can be used to adjust the image contrast? - ANSWERSdynamic
range
If there is no diastolic flow demonstrated on a Doppler tracing of the arcuate artery of
the upper pole of the right kidney, what will the resistive index be? - ANSWERS1.0
Which of the following correctly describes Real-time Virtual Sonography? -
ANSWERStechnique that enables the display of real-time ultrasound B-mode images
and CT or MR images
, __________ resolution is the ability to resolve two closely spaced structures which lie
perpendicular to the sound beam. - ANSWERSLateral
Which setting should be lowered to the minimum level when beginning to evaluate the
patient using the orbital window? - ANSWERSOutput power
What type of probe is preferred for extremity vascular imaging? - ANSWERSLinear
Blood flow volume changes in the body are mainly controlled by what two factors? -
ANSWERScardiac function and peripheral resistance
Increasing the pulse repetition frequency improves: - ANSWERStemporal resolution
The ability to differentiate a hyperechoic hemangioma within the hypoechoic liver tissue
is due to what type of image resolution? - ANSWERScontrast resolution
Which of the following describes the correct way to measure the acceleration time on a
Doppler waveform? - ANSWERSplace a caliper at the onset of the systolic upstroke and
at the systolic peak
The ALARA principle describes: - ANSWERSthe rule of thumb for adjusting gain before
output power to minimize ultrasound exposure
Increasing the sector size, increases: - ANSWERSthe number of pulses per image
Which of the following types of resolution varies with different depths on the image? -
ANSWERSlateral resolution
Increasing the spectral Doppler sample size will increase the ___________________. -
ANSWERSspectral broadening
Glutaraldehyde is used to: - ANSWERSdisinfect the transducer after a patient exam
Which of the following is inversely related to the Doppler shift? - ANSWERSspeed of the
sound in tissue
Which of the following should be increased when evaluating venous flow on Doppler? -
ANSWERScolor priority
Which two factors determine the focal depth of a transducer? - ANSWERSelement
diameter and frequency
Which of the following types of PE crystals are usually used for high frequency
transducers (>18MHz) used in musculoskeletal exams ? - ANSWERSquartz
Questions with Correct Answers
The sonographer may avoid aliasing by altering the: - ANSWERSimage depth
Which statement regarding the differences between pulsed and continuous wave
Doppler is NOT correct? - ANSWERSCW Doppler offers significantly improved range
resolution.
The coupling gel used for ultrasound exams provides the same function as what
transducer component? - ANSWERSmatching layer
What is the frequency of a transducer with a 10mm element, 14kHz PRF and a
propagation speed of 5 millimeters / microsecond? - ANSWERS2.5MHz
Which of the following correctly describes the positive predictive value (PPV) of a
testing technique? - ANSWERSIf the test result is positive, PPV is the probability that
the patient actually has the disease
What console setting can be changed to adjust the propagation speed of the transmitted
wave? - ANSWERSNone of the above. Propagation speed is determined by the
properties of the media it travels through. There is no way to adjust the propagation
speed unless you scan a different media.
Which of the following characteristics of an LCD monitor determines the spatial
resolution of the 2D image? - ANSWERSnumber of pixels
Some US systems allow you to adjust the beam thickness or slice thickness.
Decreasing the slice thickness will primarily improve ___________________ resolution.
- ANSWERSElevational
Which operator control can be used to adjust the image contrast? - ANSWERSdynamic
range
If there is no diastolic flow demonstrated on a Doppler tracing of the arcuate artery of
the upper pole of the right kidney, what will the resistive index be? - ANSWERS1.0
Which of the following correctly describes Real-time Virtual Sonography? -
ANSWERStechnique that enables the display of real-time ultrasound B-mode images
and CT or MR images
, __________ resolution is the ability to resolve two closely spaced structures which lie
perpendicular to the sound beam. - ANSWERSLateral
Which setting should be lowered to the minimum level when beginning to evaluate the
patient using the orbital window? - ANSWERSOutput power
What type of probe is preferred for extremity vascular imaging? - ANSWERSLinear
Blood flow volume changes in the body are mainly controlled by what two factors? -
ANSWERScardiac function and peripheral resistance
Increasing the pulse repetition frequency improves: - ANSWERStemporal resolution
The ability to differentiate a hyperechoic hemangioma within the hypoechoic liver tissue
is due to what type of image resolution? - ANSWERScontrast resolution
Which of the following describes the correct way to measure the acceleration time on a
Doppler waveform? - ANSWERSplace a caliper at the onset of the systolic upstroke and
at the systolic peak
The ALARA principle describes: - ANSWERSthe rule of thumb for adjusting gain before
output power to minimize ultrasound exposure
Increasing the sector size, increases: - ANSWERSthe number of pulses per image
Which of the following types of resolution varies with different depths on the image? -
ANSWERSlateral resolution
Increasing the spectral Doppler sample size will increase the ___________________. -
ANSWERSspectral broadening
Glutaraldehyde is used to: - ANSWERSdisinfect the transducer after a patient exam
Which of the following is inversely related to the Doppler shift? - ANSWERSspeed of the
sound in tissue
Which of the following should be increased when evaluating venous flow on Doppler? -
ANSWERScolor priority
Which two factors determine the focal depth of a transducer? - ANSWERSelement
diameter and frequency
Which of the following types of PE crystals are usually used for high frequency
transducers (>18MHz) used in musculoskeletal exams ? - ANSWERSquartz
