Sonography Principles And Instrumentation
Final Test Review (Qns & Ans)
2025
Question 1
Case:
A 45‑year‑old patient is scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound to
evaluate the liver. The sonographer must choose a transducer that
balances penetration and resolution.
Which statement best describes the trade‑off between low‐ and
high‑frequency transducers?
A. Low frequencies provide greater penetration but lower
resolution.
©2025
,B. Low frequencies provide better resolution and greater
penetration.
C. High frequencies offer greater penetration and improved
resolution.
D. High frequencies increase penetration but decrease resolution.
Correct ANS: A
Rationale:
Lower frequency transducers (e.g., 3–5 MHz) produce longer
wavelengths that penetrate deeper into tissue but sacrifice detail
(resolution). Conversely, higher frequencies (e.g., 7–10 MHz)
yield better resolution because of shorter wavelengths but have
reduced penetration due to increased attenuation.
---
Question 2
Case:
While imaging the thyroid gland, a sonographer is tasked with
visualizing a small nodule. Even though the axial resolution
appears excellent, the lateral borders of the lesion are less distinct.
©2025
, Which factor predominantly affects lateral resolution in
ultrasound imaging?
A. Pulse repetition frequency.
B. Sampling rate of the digitizer.
C. Beam width at the focal zone.
D. Overall system gain.
Correct ANS: C
Rationale:
Lateral resolution is primarily determined by the width of the
ultrasound beam. A narrow beam, particularly at the focal zone,
enhances the ability to differentiate between two laterally adjacent
structures. Beam width is influenced by transducer design and
focusing techniques.
---
Question 3
©2025
, Case:
A sonographer uses a linear array transducer to image a
superficial breast lesion. Despite optimal axial resolution settings,
the lesion’s lateral margins are poorly resolved.
What modification would most likely improve lateral resolution?
A. Increasing the overall digital gain.
B. Adjusting the focus to place the lesion at the beam’s narrowest
point.
C. Decreasing the transducer frequency.
D. Increasing the depth setting.
Correct ANS: B
Rationale:
Lateral resolution is optimal at the focal zone, where the beam is
most tightly focused. Adjusting the focal point to coincide with
the lesion’s location narrows the beam width and enhances lateral
resolution, enabling better delineation of lesion margins.
---
©2025
Final Test Review (Qns & Ans)
2025
Question 1
Case:
A 45‑year‑old patient is scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound to
evaluate the liver. The sonographer must choose a transducer that
balances penetration and resolution.
Which statement best describes the trade‑off between low‐ and
high‑frequency transducers?
A. Low frequencies provide greater penetration but lower
resolution.
©2025
,B. Low frequencies provide better resolution and greater
penetration.
C. High frequencies offer greater penetration and improved
resolution.
D. High frequencies increase penetration but decrease resolution.
Correct ANS: A
Rationale:
Lower frequency transducers (e.g., 3–5 MHz) produce longer
wavelengths that penetrate deeper into tissue but sacrifice detail
(resolution). Conversely, higher frequencies (e.g., 7–10 MHz)
yield better resolution because of shorter wavelengths but have
reduced penetration due to increased attenuation.
---
Question 2
Case:
While imaging the thyroid gland, a sonographer is tasked with
visualizing a small nodule. Even though the axial resolution
appears excellent, the lateral borders of the lesion are less distinct.
©2025
, Which factor predominantly affects lateral resolution in
ultrasound imaging?
A. Pulse repetition frequency.
B. Sampling rate of the digitizer.
C. Beam width at the focal zone.
D. Overall system gain.
Correct ANS: C
Rationale:
Lateral resolution is primarily determined by the width of the
ultrasound beam. A narrow beam, particularly at the focal zone,
enhances the ability to differentiate between two laterally adjacent
structures. Beam width is influenced by transducer design and
focusing techniques.
---
Question 3
©2025
, Case:
A sonographer uses a linear array transducer to image a
superficial breast lesion. Despite optimal axial resolution settings,
the lesion’s lateral margins are poorly resolved.
What modification would most likely improve lateral resolution?
A. Increasing the overall digital gain.
B. Adjusting the focus to place the lesion at the beam’s narrowest
point.
C. Decreasing the transducer frequency.
D. Increasing the depth setting.
Correct ANS: B
Rationale:
Lateral resolution is optimal at the focal zone, where the beam is
most tightly focused. Adjusting the focal point to coincide with
the lesion’s location narrows the beam width and enhances lateral
resolution, enabling better delineation of lesion margins.
---
©2025
