SPI-Bioeffects, Clinical Safety & Patient Care
Questions and Correct Answer plus Rationale |
Latest 2026-2027 Update
1. Which two of the following devices convert ultrasound energy into heat?
A. a calorimeter
B. a thermocouple
C. a hydrophone
D. a Schlieren
Correct Answer: A and B
Rationale: Calorimeters and thermocouples absorb acoustic energy and convert it
to heat to estimate beam energy. Hydrophones and Schlieren systems measure
pressure/beam shape, not heat conversion.
2. The ___ measures beam intensity at specific locations, whereas ___ measures
the entire energy in a sound beam.
A. calorimeter, thermocouple
B. Schlieren, thermocouple
C. thermocouple, calorimeter
D. thermometer, hydrometer
Correct Answer: C. thermocouple, calorimeter
Rationale: A thermocouple is a small thermometer that measures intensity at a
specific point; a calorimeter absorbs the entire beam and measures total energy.
3. True or False? The biological effects of ultrasound are thought to be negligible
and thus, few investigations have been performed on the subject.
,A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Ultrasound bioeffects are studied extensively worldwide; under certain
conditions, bioeffects have been confirmed.
4. True or False? It is generally believed that the effects of ultrasound on biologic
media are minimal.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Bioeffects can be substantial under certain conditions, such as
therapeutic ultrasound and lithotripsy.
5. Under which condition is it permissible to perform a diagnostic ultrasound
exam?
A. when the patient will benefit
B. when the patient has insurance
C. when the exam is perfectly safe
D. when the benefits outweigh the risks
Correct Answer: D. when the benefits outweigh the risks
Rationale: Diagnostic ultrasound is justified when the expected benefit to the
patient exceeds the potential risk.
6. Some ultrasonic bioeffects studies are performed in vivo. What is the meaning
of the term in vivo?
A. observable in a living body
B. observations based on an experiment
,C. discernible in a test tube
D. estimated in a computer simulation
Correct Answer: A. observable in a living body
Rationale: In vivo means within a living organism, such as measuring tissue
temperature in patients.
7. Certain studies of bioeffects are performed in vitro. What is the meaning of in
vitro?
A. visible in a living organism
B. observations based on experiments
C. discernible in a test tube
D. perceptible in a living human being
Correct Answer: C. discernible in a test tube
Rationale: In vitro means outside the body in an artificial environment, such as a
test tube or culture dish.
8. Which component of an ultrasound system exposes a patient to greatest risk?
A. the CRT
B. the electric cord
C. the pulser
D. the transducer
Correct Answer: D. the transducer
Rationale: The transducer is in direct contact with the patient and delivers
acoustic energy, so it poses the greatest (though small) risk.
9. True or False? The AIUM suggest that in vitro research confirming bioeffects is
valuable and valid. Their results are significant and should be directly applied to
the clinical arena.
, A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: In vitro results are important but cannot be directly applied clinically
without further in vivo confirmation.
10. True or False? The mechanistic approach to the study of bioeffects and safety
includes the identification of a theoretical construct that could produce an
effect.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Rationale: The mechanistic approach proposes a theory or mechanism by which a
bioeffect could occur.
11. True or False? The empirical approach to the study of bioeffects and
ultrasonic safety surveys data involves finding a relationship between exposure
and toxic effects.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Rationale: Empirical studies look for a relationship between exposure and
response without necessarily understanding the mechanism.
12. True or False? A bioeffect identified through the mechanistic approach rather
than the empirical approach is more likely to have clinical significance.
A. True
B. False
Questions and Correct Answer plus Rationale |
Latest 2026-2027 Update
1. Which two of the following devices convert ultrasound energy into heat?
A. a calorimeter
B. a thermocouple
C. a hydrophone
D. a Schlieren
Correct Answer: A and B
Rationale: Calorimeters and thermocouples absorb acoustic energy and convert it
to heat to estimate beam energy. Hydrophones and Schlieren systems measure
pressure/beam shape, not heat conversion.
2. The ___ measures beam intensity at specific locations, whereas ___ measures
the entire energy in a sound beam.
A. calorimeter, thermocouple
B. Schlieren, thermocouple
C. thermocouple, calorimeter
D. thermometer, hydrometer
Correct Answer: C. thermocouple, calorimeter
Rationale: A thermocouple is a small thermometer that measures intensity at a
specific point; a calorimeter absorbs the entire beam and measures total energy.
3. True or False? The biological effects of ultrasound are thought to be negligible
and thus, few investigations have been performed on the subject.
,A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Ultrasound bioeffects are studied extensively worldwide; under certain
conditions, bioeffects have been confirmed.
4. True or False? It is generally believed that the effects of ultrasound on biologic
media are minimal.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Bioeffects can be substantial under certain conditions, such as
therapeutic ultrasound and lithotripsy.
5. Under which condition is it permissible to perform a diagnostic ultrasound
exam?
A. when the patient will benefit
B. when the patient has insurance
C. when the exam is perfectly safe
D. when the benefits outweigh the risks
Correct Answer: D. when the benefits outweigh the risks
Rationale: Diagnostic ultrasound is justified when the expected benefit to the
patient exceeds the potential risk.
6. Some ultrasonic bioeffects studies are performed in vivo. What is the meaning
of the term in vivo?
A. observable in a living body
B. observations based on an experiment
,C. discernible in a test tube
D. estimated in a computer simulation
Correct Answer: A. observable in a living body
Rationale: In vivo means within a living organism, such as measuring tissue
temperature in patients.
7. Certain studies of bioeffects are performed in vitro. What is the meaning of in
vitro?
A. visible in a living organism
B. observations based on experiments
C. discernible in a test tube
D. perceptible in a living human being
Correct Answer: C. discernible in a test tube
Rationale: In vitro means outside the body in an artificial environment, such as a
test tube or culture dish.
8. Which component of an ultrasound system exposes a patient to greatest risk?
A. the CRT
B. the electric cord
C. the pulser
D. the transducer
Correct Answer: D. the transducer
Rationale: The transducer is in direct contact with the patient and delivers
acoustic energy, so it poses the greatest (though small) risk.
9. True or False? The AIUM suggest that in vitro research confirming bioeffects is
valuable and valid. Their results are significant and should be directly applied to
the clinical arena.
, A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: In vitro results are important but cannot be directly applied clinically
without further in vivo confirmation.
10. True or False? The mechanistic approach to the study of bioeffects and safety
includes the identification of a theoretical construct that could produce an
effect.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Rationale: The mechanistic approach proposes a theory or mechanism by which a
bioeffect could occur.
11. True or False? The empirical approach to the study of bioeffects and
ultrasonic safety surveys data involves finding a relationship between exposure
and toxic effects.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Rationale: Empirical studies look for a relationship between exposure and
response without necessarily understanding the mechanism.
12. True or False? A bioeffect identified through the mechanistic approach rather
than the empirical approach is more likely to have clinical significance.
A. True
B. False
