ABDOMEN (AB)
SPECIALTY EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
Letty Shubin, MHA, RDMS, RVT
Sonostudy hub |
,ARDMS Abdomen (AB) Specialty Exam
Study Guide
3
, ✨ Welcome to SonoStudy Hub ✨
Your Trusted Guide for Abdomen Exam Success
Thank you for choosing SonoStudy Hub as part of your journey toward passing the ARDMS
Abdomen Exam and growing your career in diagnostic medical sonography. This study guide
was carefully crafted by a registered sonographer someone who understands the challenges of
ultrasound physics and what it takes to actually retain the material. You’ll find not just practice
questions, but clear explanations, helpful visuals, and practical strategies for mastering even the
trickiest topics.
Before You Dive In…
Whether you’re studying after a long shift or reviewing during a quiet moment,
know this: you’ve got this and this guide has your back.
If you love this resource, don’t forget to share your success or tag us on social media
@SonoStudyHub. Your journey inspires others!
Wishing you confidence, clarity, and a passing score.
— Letty Shubin, MHA, RDMS, RVT
Creator, SonoStudy Hub
This study guide covers the official ARDMS Abdomen specialty exam domains, providing
detailed content review, key formulas/tables, and practice questions. The Abdomen exam
assesses knowledge of abdominal organs and superficial structures (like thyroid, breast,
scrotum), including normal anatomy, physiology, pathology, and sonographic techniques. The
guide is organized by the exam content domains as outlined by ARDMS, with expanded
summaries and practice questions for each domain.
4
, Table of Contents
ARDMS ABDOMEN (AB) SPECIALTY EXAM STUDY GUIDE................................................................... 2
✨ WELCOME TO SONOSTUDY HUB ✨.................................................................................................................4
Your Trusted Guide for Abdomen Exam Success ..............................................................................................4
Before You Dive In…..........................................................................................................................................4
DOMAIN 1: ANATOMY, PERFUSION, AND FUNCTION (30%) ...................................................................................6
Normal Abdominal Anatomy & Sonographic Appearance ...............................................................................6
Functional Considerations and Hemodynamics ................................................................................................8
Domain 1 Practice Questions ...........................................................................................................................10
(Answers are provided in the answer key at the end of the guide) ..................................................................10
DOMAIN 2: PATHOLOGY, VASCULAR ABNORMALITIES, TRAUMA, AND POSTOPERATIVE ANATOMY (42%) ....12
Abdominal Organ Pathologies..........................................................................................................................12
Superficial Structures Pathologies ...................................................................................................................17
Trauma-Related Abnormalities ........................................................................................................................19
Postoperative Anatomy & Complications .........................................................................................................20
Domain 2 Practice Questions ...........................................................................................................................21
DOMAIN 3: ABDOMINAL PHYSICS (EQUIPMENT & IMAGING) (8%) ....................................................................24
Transducer Selection & Image Optimization ...................................................................................................24
Imaging Artifacts (Recognition and Utilization)..............................................................................................26
Domain 3 Practice Questions ...........................................................................................................................27
DOMAIN 4: CLINICAL CARE, PRACTICE, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE (20%) ......................................................30
Integrating Clinical Data with Sonographic Findings ....................................................................................30
Clinical Standards, Communication, and Patient Care ...................................................................................32
Accurate Measurements and Documentation ..................................................................................................34
Assisting with Procedures and Safety in Practice ............................................................................................35
Domain 4 Practice Questions ...........................................................................................................................37
KEY FORMULAS AND REFERENCE TABLES SUMMARY .........................................................................................40
REFERENCES (ABDOMEN GUIDE) ..........................................................................................................................43
5
SPECIALTY EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
Letty Shubin, MHA, RDMS, RVT
Sonostudy hub |
,ARDMS Abdomen (AB) Specialty Exam
Study Guide
3
, ✨ Welcome to SonoStudy Hub ✨
Your Trusted Guide for Abdomen Exam Success
Thank you for choosing SonoStudy Hub as part of your journey toward passing the ARDMS
Abdomen Exam and growing your career in diagnostic medical sonography. This study guide
was carefully crafted by a registered sonographer someone who understands the challenges of
ultrasound physics and what it takes to actually retain the material. You’ll find not just practice
questions, but clear explanations, helpful visuals, and practical strategies for mastering even the
trickiest topics.
Before You Dive In…
Whether you’re studying after a long shift or reviewing during a quiet moment,
know this: you’ve got this and this guide has your back.
If you love this resource, don’t forget to share your success or tag us on social media
@SonoStudyHub. Your journey inspires others!
Wishing you confidence, clarity, and a passing score.
— Letty Shubin, MHA, RDMS, RVT
Creator, SonoStudy Hub
This study guide covers the official ARDMS Abdomen specialty exam domains, providing
detailed content review, key formulas/tables, and practice questions. The Abdomen exam
assesses knowledge of abdominal organs and superficial structures (like thyroid, breast,
scrotum), including normal anatomy, physiology, pathology, and sonographic techniques. The
guide is organized by the exam content domains as outlined by ARDMS, with expanded
summaries and practice questions for each domain.
4
, Table of Contents
ARDMS ABDOMEN (AB) SPECIALTY EXAM STUDY GUIDE................................................................... 2
✨ WELCOME TO SONOSTUDY HUB ✨.................................................................................................................4
Your Trusted Guide for Abdomen Exam Success ..............................................................................................4
Before You Dive In…..........................................................................................................................................4
DOMAIN 1: ANATOMY, PERFUSION, AND FUNCTION (30%) ...................................................................................6
Normal Abdominal Anatomy & Sonographic Appearance ...............................................................................6
Functional Considerations and Hemodynamics ................................................................................................8
Domain 1 Practice Questions ...........................................................................................................................10
(Answers are provided in the answer key at the end of the guide) ..................................................................10
DOMAIN 2: PATHOLOGY, VASCULAR ABNORMALITIES, TRAUMA, AND POSTOPERATIVE ANATOMY (42%) ....12
Abdominal Organ Pathologies..........................................................................................................................12
Superficial Structures Pathologies ...................................................................................................................17
Trauma-Related Abnormalities ........................................................................................................................19
Postoperative Anatomy & Complications .........................................................................................................20
Domain 2 Practice Questions ...........................................................................................................................21
DOMAIN 3: ABDOMINAL PHYSICS (EQUIPMENT & IMAGING) (8%) ....................................................................24
Transducer Selection & Image Optimization ...................................................................................................24
Imaging Artifacts (Recognition and Utilization)..............................................................................................26
Domain 3 Practice Questions ...........................................................................................................................27
DOMAIN 4: CLINICAL CARE, PRACTICE, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE (20%) ......................................................30
Integrating Clinical Data with Sonographic Findings ....................................................................................30
Clinical Standards, Communication, and Patient Care ...................................................................................32
Accurate Measurements and Documentation ..................................................................................................34
Assisting with Procedures and Safety in Practice ............................................................................................35
Domain 4 Practice Questions ...........................................................................................................................37
KEY FORMULAS AND REFERENCE TABLES SUMMARY .........................................................................................40
REFERENCES (ABDOMEN GUIDE) ..........................................................................................................................43
5
