Davies SPI Review 2026 – Security Principles and Information Systems Exam
Preparation Guide
What action below would be most in keeping with the ALARA principle while performing a
diagnostic ultrasound examination?
A: Allow multiple students to scan an obstetrical patient because the fetus is in a good position
for imaging.
B: Prolong the sonogram to make videos of the fetus for each family member.
C: Complete the diagnostic scan in a timely fashion at the lowest output power that achieves a
quality image.
D: Maximize the acoustic output to brighten the overall image.
E: Extend the sonogram beyond the intended scope of the exam requisition. - correct answer
✔✔ C: Complete the diagnostic scan in a timely fashion at the lowest output power that
achieves a quality image.
What does the ALARA principle stand for? - correct answer ✔✔ As Low As Reasonable
Achievable
During performance of an obstetrical ultrasound exam you adjust the system parameters to
improve the image. Which of the following parameters would increase acoustic exposure?
A: Increase gain
B: Increase TGC
C: Increase frequency
D: Increase transmit power
E: Increase frame averaging - correct answer ✔✔ D: Increase transmit power
While performing a sonogram to minimize risk to the fetus which imaging mode trade off would
be most applicable?
A: Use M-mode instead of pulsed-wave Doppler to measure the fetal heart rate.
,B: Use color Doppler instead of power Doppler to image the umbilical cord.
C: Use pulsed-wave Doppler instead of power Doppler to evaluate the fetal heart.
D: Use harmonics instead of fundamental to image the fetal spine.
E: All of the above. - correct answer ✔✔ A: Use M-mode instead of pulsed-wave Doppler to
measure the fetal heart rate.
Gain, TGC, and frame averaging do not affect _______ and therefore do not affect _______. -
correct answer ✔✔ -Sound transmission
-Exposure
T or F: Increasing frequency does not increase exposure. - correct answer ✔✔ True
What potential bioeffect occurs through absorption of sound energy by tissue?
A: Cavitation
B: Heating
C: Attenuation
D: Reflection
E: Refraction - correct answer ✔✔ B: Heating
When practicing universal precautions you should do all of the following EXCEPT:
A: Wear gloves when there is a potential for contact with patient bodily fluids.
B: Change gloves when moving from one patient to another.
C: Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed.
D: Wear face masks or eye protection whenever there is a possibility of blood splashing into
your face.
E: Wash gloves between exams for re-use from one patient to another. - correct answer ✔✔ E:
Wash gloves between exams for RE-use from one patient to another.
,A nosocomial infection is defined as one that is:
A: Resistant to antibiotics
B: Restricted to the respiratory system
C: Hospital-acquired
D: Not contagious
E: Requires isolation - correct answer ✔✔ C: Hospital-acquired
Thermally induced biological effects should be preventable by avoiding a local tissue
temperature increase exceeding:
A: 1 degree C
B: 4 degrees C
C: 10 degrees C
D: 95 degrees F
E: None; thermal effects have no threshold. - correct answer ✔✔ A: 1 degree C
Which intensity descriptor has the lowest numerical value for the characterization of a pulsed-
wave ultrasonic field?
A: SATA
B: SPTA
C: SATP
D: SPTP
E: These intensity descriptors are only used for continuous-wave ultrasound. - correct answer
✔✔ A: SATA
Increased tissue heating could occur when you:
A: Decrease frequency.
, B: Increase transmit power.
C: Decrease exposure time.
D: Decrease pulse repetition frequency.
E: All of the above - correct answer ✔✔ B: Increase transmit power.
A study designed to determine if there is an association between an adverse effect in a
population and exposure to a particular agent is a(n):
A: Case report
B: Epidemiological study
C: In vitro study
D: In vivo study
E: Single-incident investigation - correct answer ✔✔ B: Epidemiological study
Which of the following actions is NOT compliant with HIPAA?
A: Cropping all patient identifiers from images used for teaching purposes.
B: Refraining from disclosing patient health information without proper authorization.
C: Reviewing your neighbors medical studies on your hospital PACS system so you can give her
your opinion of her condition.
D: Covering your daily requisition list so that the names are not visible to patients and visitors.
E: All of these actions are compliant with HIPAA. - correct answer ✔✔ C: Reviewing your
neighbors medical studies on your hospital PACS system so you can give her your opinion of her
condition.
What does HIPAA stand for? - correct answer ✔✔ The Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act
What does mechanical index indicate on an ultrasound system?
A: The maximum temperature increase in tissue
Preparation Guide
What action below would be most in keeping with the ALARA principle while performing a
diagnostic ultrasound examination?
A: Allow multiple students to scan an obstetrical patient because the fetus is in a good position
for imaging.
B: Prolong the sonogram to make videos of the fetus for each family member.
C: Complete the diagnostic scan in a timely fashion at the lowest output power that achieves a
quality image.
D: Maximize the acoustic output to brighten the overall image.
E: Extend the sonogram beyond the intended scope of the exam requisition. - correct answer
✔✔ C: Complete the diagnostic scan in a timely fashion at the lowest output power that
achieves a quality image.
What does the ALARA principle stand for? - correct answer ✔✔ As Low As Reasonable
Achievable
During performance of an obstetrical ultrasound exam you adjust the system parameters to
improve the image. Which of the following parameters would increase acoustic exposure?
A: Increase gain
B: Increase TGC
C: Increase frequency
D: Increase transmit power
E: Increase frame averaging - correct answer ✔✔ D: Increase transmit power
While performing a sonogram to minimize risk to the fetus which imaging mode trade off would
be most applicable?
A: Use M-mode instead of pulsed-wave Doppler to measure the fetal heart rate.
,B: Use color Doppler instead of power Doppler to image the umbilical cord.
C: Use pulsed-wave Doppler instead of power Doppler to evaluate the fetal heart.
D: Use harmonics instead of fundamental to image the fetal spine.
E: All of the above. - correct answer ✔✔ A: Use M-mode instead of pulsed-wave Doppler to
measure the fetal heart rate.
Gain, TGC, and frame averaging do not affect _______ and therefore do not affect _______. -
correct answer ✔✔ -Sound transmission
-Exposure
T or F: Increasing frequency does not increase exposure. - correct answer ✔✔ True
What potential bioeffect occurs through absorption of sound energy by tissue?
A: Cavitation
B: Heating
C: Attenuation
D: Reflection
E: Refraction - correct answer ✔✔ B: Heating
When practicing universal precautions you should do all of the following EXCEPT:
A: Wear gloves when there is a potential for contact with patient bodily fluids.
B: Change gloves when moving from one patient to another.
C: Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed.
D: Wear face masks or eye protection whenever there is a possibility of blood splashing into
your face.
E: Wash gloves between exams for re-use from one patient to another. - correct answer ✔✔ E:
Wash gloves between exams for RE-use from one patient to another.
,A nosocomial infection is defined as one that is:
A: Resistant to antibiotics
B: Restricted to the respiratory system
C: Hospital-acquired
D: Not contagious
E: Requires isolation - correct answer ✔✔ C: Hospital-acquired
Thermally induced biological effects should be preventable by avoiding a local tissue
temperature increase exceeding:
A: 1 degree C
B: 4 degrees C
C: 10 degrees C
D: 95 degrees F
E: None; thermal effects have no threshold. - correct answer ✔✔ A: 1 degree C
Which intensity descriptor has the lowest numerical value for the characterization of a pulsed-
wave ultrasonic field?
A: SATA
B: SPTA
C: SATP
D: SPTP
E: These intensity descriptors are only used for continuous-wave ultrasound. - correct answer
✔✔ A: SATA
Increased tissue heating could occur when you:
A: Decrease frequency.
, B: Increase transmit power.
C: Decrease exposure time.
D: Decrease pulse repetition frequency.
E: All of the above - correct answer ✔✔ B: Increase transmit power.
A study designed to determine if there is an association between an adverse effect in a
population and exposure to a particular agent is a(n):
A: Case report
B: Epidemiological study
C: In vitro study
D: In vivo study
E: Single-incident investigation - correct answer ✔✔ B: Epidemiological study
Which of the following actions is NOT compliant with HIPAA?
A: Cropping all patient identifiers from images used for teaching purposes.
B: Refraining from disclosing patient health information without proper authorization.
C: Reviewing your neighbors medical studies on your hospital PACS system so you can give her
your opinion of her condition.
D: Covering your daily requisition list so that the names are not visible to patients and visitors.
E: All of these actions are compliant with HIPAA. - correct answer ✔✔ C: Reviewing your
neighbors medical studies on your hospital PACS system so you can give her your opinion of her
condition.
What does HIPAA stand for? - correct answer ✔✔ The Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act
What does mechanical index indicate on an ultrasound system?
A: The maximum temperature increase in tissue
