,Abdominal Ultrasound Test Bank: Thieme Textbook (2016)
Foundational Chapters 1-2 with Rationales | Stuvia
Exclusive
Test Bank Questions: Foundational Content
Third Edition (2016), Thieme Textbook on Abdominal Ultrasound
Chapter 1: General Introduction to Abdominal Ultrasound
1. What is the primary advantage of abdominal ultrasound compared to
computed tomography (CT)?
A) Higher spatial resolution
B) No ionizing radiation
C) Shorter examination time
D) Better evaluation of bone structures
Correct Answer: B) No ionizing radiation
Rationale: Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation, making it safer for
repeated use and ideal for pediatric or pregnant patients. CT involves
radiation exposure, which is a key distinction.
2. Which of the following is a limitation of abdominal ultrasound?
A) Real-time imaging capability
B) Operator dependence
,C) Non-invasive nature
D) Lack of contrast agents
Correct Answer: B) Operator dependence
Rationale: Ultrasound quality heavily relies on the operator’s skill,
unlike modalities like CT or MRI, which are less dependent on user
technique.
3. Patient preparation for an abdominal ultrasound typically includes:
A) Fasting for 6–8 hours
B) Administration of oral contrast
C) Sedation
D) Intravenous gadolinium injection
Correct Answer: A) Fasting for 6–8 hours
Rationale: Fasting reduces bowel gas and improves visualization of
organs like the pancreas and gallbladder. Oral/IV contrast and sedation
are not standard for routine abdominal ultrasound.
Chapter 2: Basic Physical and Technical Principles of
Ultrasonography
4. Which parameter determines the axial resolution of an ultrasound
image?
A) Frequency of the transducer
B) Spatial pulse length
C) Beam width
D) Frame rate
Correct Answer: B) Spatial pulse length
Rationale: Axial resolution (ability to distinguish structures along the
beam axis) is determined by spatial pulse length, which is influenced by
frequency and damping.
, 5. The Doppler effect in ultrasound is used to evaluate:
A) Tissue density
B) Blood flow velocity
C) Organ size
D) Calcifications
Correct Answer: B) Blood flow velocity
Rationale: The Doppler effect measures frequency shifts caused by
moving red blood cells, enabling assessment of vascular flow and
velocity.
6. Which artifact results in a hypoechoic shadow posterior to a calcified
structure?
A) Reverberation
B) Mirror image
C) Acoustic shadowing
D) Ring-down
Correct Answer: C) Acoustic shadowing
Rationale: Dense structures (e.g., calculi) reflect most sound waves,
creating a shadow posteriorly due to reduced transmission of ultrasound
energy.
7. A higher-frequency transducer (e.g., 10 MHz) is preferred for:
A) Deep abdominal imaging
B) Superficial structures (e.g., thyroid)
C) Reducing examination time
D) Minimizing artifacts
Correct Answer: B) Superficial structures
Rationale: Higher frequencies provide better resolution but limited
Foundational Chapters 1-2 with Rationales | Stuvia
Exclusive
Test Bank Questions: Foundational Content
Third Edition (2016), Thieme Textbook on Abdominal Ultrasound
Chapter 1: General Introduction to Abdominal Ultrasound
1. What is the primary advantage of abdominal ultrasound compared to
computed tomography (CT)?
A) Higher spatial resolution
B) No ionizing radiation
C) Shorter examination time
D) Better evaluation of bone structures
Correct Answer: B) No ionizing radiation
Rationale: Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation, making it safer for
repeated use and ideal for pediatric or pregnant patients. CT involves
radiation exposure, which is a key distinction.
2. Which of the following is a limitation of abdominal ultrasound?
A) Real-time imaging capability
B) Operator dependence
,C) Non-invasive nature
D) Lack of contrast agents
Correct Answer: B) Operator dependence
Rationale: Ultrasound quality heavily relies on the operator’s skill,
unlike modalities like CT or MRI, which are less dependent on user
technique.
3. Patient preparation for an abdominal ultrasound typically includes:
A) Fasting for 6–8 hours
B) Administration of oral contrast
C) Sedation
D) Intravenous gadolinium injection
Correct Answer: A) Fasting for 6–8 hours
Rationale: Fasting reduces bowel gas and improves visualization of
organs like the pancreas and gallbladder. Oral/IV contrast and sedation
are not standard for routine abdominal ultrasound.
Chapter 2: Basic Physical and Technical Principles of
Ultrasonography
4. Which parameter determines the axial resolution of an ultrasound
image?
A) Frequency of the transducer
B) Spatial pulse length
C) Beam width
D) Frame rate
Correct Answer: B) Spatial pulse length
Rationale: Axial resolution (ability to distinguish structures along the
beam axis) is determined by spatial pulse length, which is influenced by
frequency and damping.
, 5. The Doppler effect in ultrasound is used to evaluate:
A) Tissue density
B) Blood flow velocity
C) Organ size
D) Calcifications
Correct Answer: B) Blood flow velocity
Rationale: The Doppler effect measures frequency shifts caused by
moving red blood cells, enabling assessment of vascular flow and
velocity.
6. Which artifact results in a hypoechoic shadow posterior to a calcified
structure?
A) Reverberation
B) Mirror image
C) Acoustic shadowing
D) Ring-down
Correct Answer: C) Acoustic shadowing
Rationale: Dense structures (e.g., calculi) reflect most sound waves,
creating a shadow posteriorly due to reduced transmission of ultrasound
energy.
7. A higher-frequency transducer (e.g., 10 MHz) is preferred for:
A) Deep abdominal imaging
B) Superficial structures (e.g., thyroid)
C) Reducing examination time
D) Minimizing artifacts
Correct Answer: B) Superficial structures
Rationale: Higher frequencies provide better resolution but limited
