ARDMS SPI Exam – Latest 2025 Real
Exam with 150 Verified Questions and
Correct Answers (Graded A+, Brand
New Version)
Domain 1: Ethics and Professionalism (Questions 1-15)
1. Question: What is the primary ethical responsibility of a sonographer regarding patient
confidentiality? Answer: Comply with HIPAA and obtain informed consent before
imaging. Rationale: ARDMS Code of Ethics (Section 1) mandates protecting PHI;
informed consent ensures autonomy (2025 content outline, Domain 1.A).
2. Question: If a patient refuses an ultrasound due to anxiety, what should the sonographer
do? Answer: Respect the refusal, document it, and notify the physician. Rationale:
Patient autonomy is paramount (ARDMS Ethics, Principle 1); documentation prevents
liability.
3. Question: What is scope of practice for an entry-level sonographer? Answer: Perform
scans under supervision, report findings without diagnosis. Rationale: ARDMS limits
sonographers to technical roles; diagnosis by physician (2025 outline, Domain 1.B).
4. Question: In a case of suspected child abuse during imaging, what is required? Answer:
Report to authorities immediately as a mandatory reporter. Rationale: Federal/state laws
(e.g., CAPTA); ARDMS Ethics (Section 4) requires legal compliance.
5. Question: What documentation is needed for contrast-enhanced ultrasound? Answer:
Allergy history, consent, and vital signs monitoring. Rationale: Safety protocol for
microbubble agents like Definity (ARDMS safety guidelines, 2025 update).
,6. Question: Ethical use of social media for sonographers? Answer: No patient images or
identifiable info without consent. Rationale: HIPAA violation risk; ARDMS
Professionalism (Domain 1.C).
7. Question: If equipment malfunction occurs mid-exam, what next? Answer: Stop
imaging, notify supervisor, document incident. Rationale: Patient safety first (ARDMS
Ethics, Principle 3); QA reporting.
8. Question: Cultural competence in sonography involves? Answer: Adapting
communication to diverse backgrounds. Rationale: ARDMS 2025 outline emphasizes
equity (Domain 1.D).
9. Question: Conflict of interest example? Answer: Recommending personal ultrasound
services to family. Rationale: Violates impartiality (ARDMS Code, Section 2).
10. Question: ARDMS certification renewal requires? Answer: 30 CME credits every 3
years, including 15 in physics. Rationale: Maintains competency (ARDMS renewal
policy, 2025).
11. Question: What is ALARA principle? Answer: As Low As Reasonably Achievable for
acoustic output. Rationale: Safety ethic (ARDMS Domain 1.E; minimizes bioeffects).
12. Question: Reporting impaired colleague? Answer: Confidential report to supervisor or
board. Rationale: Duty to protect patients (ARDMS Ethics, Principle 4).
13. Question: Informed consent for pregnant patients? Answer: Discuss thermal index and
benefits vs. risks. Rationale: Fetal safety (ARDMS 2025 guidelines).
14. Question: Professional boundaries with patients? Answer: Avoid personal relationships
or gifts. Rationale: Prevents exploitation (ARDMS Code, Section 3).
, 15. Question: ARDMS exam security? Answer: No sharing questions; violations lead to
revocation. Rationale: Integrity policy (ARDMS Candidate Rules).
Domain 2: Clinical Safety, Equipment Management, and Quality Control (Questions 16-
45)
16. Question: What is the maximum mechanical index (MI) for ophthalmic imaging?
Answer: 0.23 to avoid cavitation. Rationale: ARDMS safety limits; eye sensitive to
bubbles (2025 outline, Domain 2.A).
17. Question: Thermal index (TI) monitoring when? Answer: Displayed on screen; keep <1
for fetal scans. Rationale: Prevents hyperthermia (FDA/ARDMS guidelines).
18. Question: Bioeffects of ultrasound include? Answer: Cavitation and heating. Rationale:
Mechanical/thermal mechanisms (Domain 2.B).
19. Question: Doppler use in pregnancy? Answer: Limit to essential exams, low power.
Rationale: Higher intensity; TI/MI display required.
20. Question: Contrast agent contraindication? Answer: Severe pulmonary hypertension.
Rationale: Gas body risk (ARDMS safety, 2025).
21. Question: Equipment QA daily check? Answer: Phantom imaging for resolution/depth.
Rationale: Ensures consistent performance (Domain 2.C).
22. Question: Transducer cleaning protocol? Answer: Low-level disinfectant after each
patient. Rationale: Infection control (CDC/ARDMS).
23. Question: Output power adjustment? Answer: Increase for deeper structures, monitor
TI/MI. Rationale: Balances penetration/safety.
Exam with 150 Verified Questions and
Correct Answers (Graded A+, Brand
New Version)
Domain 1: Ethics and Professionalism (Questions 1-15)
1. Question: What is the primary ethical responsibility of a sonographer regarding patient
confidentiality? Answer: Comply with HIPAA and obtain informed consent before
imaging. Rationale: ARDMS Code of Ethics (Section 1) mandates protecting PHI;
informed consent ensures autonomy (2025 content outline, Domain 1.A).
2. Question: If a patient refuses an ultrasound due to anxiety, what should the sonographer
do? Answer: Respect the refusal, document it, and notify the physician. Rationale:
Patient autonomy is paramount (ARDMS Ethics, Principle 1); documentation prevents
liability.
3. Question: What is scope of practice for an entry-level sonographer? Answer: Perform
scans under supervision, report findings without diagnosis. Rationale: ARDMS limits
sonographers to technical roles; diagnosis by physician (2025 outline, Domain 1.B).
4. Question: In a case of suspected child abuse during imaging, what is required? Answer:
Report to authorities immediately as a mandatory reporter. Rationale: Federal/state laws
(e.g., CAPTA); ARDMS Ethics (Section 4) requires legal compliance.
5. Question: What documentation is needed for contrast-enhanced ultrasound? Answer:
Allergy history, consent, and vital signs monitoring. Rationale: Safety protocol for
microbubble agents like Definity (ARDMS safety guidelines, 2025 update).
,6. Question: Ethical use of social media for sonographers? Answer: No patient images or
identifiable info without consent. Rationale: HIPAA violation risk; ARDMS
Professionalism (Domain 1.C).
7. Question: If equipment malfunction occurs mid-exam, what next? Answer: Stop
imaging, notify supervisor, document incident. Rationale: Patient safety first (ARDMS
Ethics, Principle 3); QA reporting.
8. Question: Cultural competence in sonography involves? Answer: Adapting
communication to diverse backgrounds. Rationale: ARDMS 2025 outline emphasizes
equity (Domain 1.D).
9. Question: Conflict of interest example? Answer: Recommending personal ultrasound
services to family. Rationale: Violates impartiality (ARDMS Code, Section 2).
10. Question: ARDMS certification renewal requires? Answer: 30 CME credits every 3
years, including 15 in physics. Rationale: Maintains competency (ARDMS renewal
policy, 2025).
11. Question: What is ALARA principle? Answer: As Low As Reasonably Achievable for
acoustic output. Rationale: Safety ethic (ARDMS Domain 1.E; minimizes bioeffects).
12. Question: Reporting impaired colleague? Answer: Confidential report to supervisor or
board. Rationale: Duty to protect patients (ARDMS Ethics, Principle 4).
13. Question: Informed consent for pregnant patients? Answer: Discuss thermal index and
benefits vs. risks. Rationale: Fetal safety (ARDMS 2025 guidelines).
14. Question: Professional boundaries with patients? Answer: Avoid personal relationships
or gifts. Rationale: Prevents exploitation (ARDMS Code, Section 3).
, 15. Question: ARDMS exam security? Answer: No sharing questions; violations lead to
revocation. Rationale: Integrity policy (ARDMS Candidate Rules).
Domain 2: Clinical Safety, Equipment Management, and Quality Control (Questions 16-
45)
16. Question: What is the maximum mechanical index (MI) for ophthalmic imaging?
Answer: 0.23 to avoid cavitation. Rationale: ARDMS safety limits; eye sensitive to
bubbles (2025 outline, Domain 2.A).
17. Question: Thermal index (TI) monitoring when? Answer: Displayed on screen; keep <1
for fetal scans. Rationale: Prevents hyperthermia (FDA/ARDMS guidelines).
18. Question: Bioeffects of ultrasound include? Answer: Cavitation and heating. Rationale:
Mechanical/thermal mechanisms (Domain 2.B).
19. Question: Doppler use in pregnancy? Answer: Limit to essential exams, low power.
Rationale: Higher intensity; TI/MI display required.
20. Question: Contrast agent contraindication? Answer: Severe pulmonary hypertension.
Rationale: Gas body risk (ARDMS safety, 2025).
21. Question: Equipment QA daily check? Answer: Phantom imaging for resolution/depth.
Rationale: Ensures consistent performance (Domain 2.C).
22. Question: Transducer cleaning protocol? Answer: Low-level disinfectant after each
patient. Rationale: Infection control (CDC/ARDMS).
23. Question: Output power adjustment? Answer: Increase for deeper structures, monitor
TI/MI. Rationale: Balances penetration/safety.
