Davies Ultrasound Physics Review Questions with Answers
(100% Correct Answers)
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. —Answer: C:
Complete the diagnostic scan in a timely fashion at the lowest output power that achieves a
quality image.
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 —Answer: D: Increase transmit power
While performing a sonogram to minimize risk to the fetus which imaging mode trade off
would be most applicable?
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,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. —Answer: A: Use M-mode instead of pulsed-wave Doppler to measure the
fetal heart rate.
What potential bioeffect occurs through absorption of sound energy by tissue?
A: Cavitation
B: Heating
C: Attenuation
D: Reflection
E: Refraction —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. —Answer: E: Wash
gloves between exams for RE-use from one patient to another.
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,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 —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. —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
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, E: These intensity descriptors are only used for continuous-wave ultrasound. —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 —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 —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.
© 2025 All rights reserved
(100% Correct Answers)
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. —Answer: C:
Complete the diagnostic scan in a timely fashion at the lowest output power that achieves a
quality image.
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 —Answer: D: Increase transmit power
While performing a sonogram to minimize risk to the fetus which imaging mode trade off
would be most applicable?
© 2025 All rights reserved
,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. —Answer: A: Use M-mode instead of pulsed-wave Doppler to measure the
fetal heart rate.
What potential bioeffect occurs through absorption of sound energy by tissue?
A: Cavitation
B: Heating
C: Attenuation
D: Reflection
E: Refraction —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. —Answer: E: Wash
gloves between exams for RE-use from one patient to another.
© 2025 All rights reserved
,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 —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. —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
© 2025 All rights reserved
, E: These intensity descriptors are only used for continuous-wave ultrasound. —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 —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 —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.
© 2025 All rights reserved
