Foundations for the Sonography Student – Chapter 1

These flashcards summarize the major concepts from the Chapter 1 lecture on foundational skills, professionalism, stress management, clinical practice, financial planning, imaging modalities, and critical thinking for beginning sonography students.

What five key objectives does Chapter 1 aim to cover for sonography students?

Student success concepts, classroom & clinical survival skills, hospital workflow, exposure to other imaging modalities, and the importance of critical-thinking skills.

During the first semester, how often do sonography students typically attend clinical sites and why?

One day per week, so they can observe and acclimate before learning detailed ultrasound procedures.

When shadowing a sonographer, when is the best time to ask questions about the exam?

After the patient has left the room, to protect patient comfort and privacy.

Why should sonography students accept any opportunity to hold the transducer, even if they don’t fully understand the image?

To gain early hands-on experience and become comfortable with probe handling and patient contact.

What are ‘competencies’ in a sonography program?

Graded evaluations proving a student can perform specific exam types (e.g., abdomen, OB, vascular) independently or with assistance.

List three physical symptoms that often signal stress in sonography students.

Increased heart rate, sweating, and stomach nausea.

Give four healthy strategies to reduce stress mentioned in the lecture.

Walking/running, breathing exercises, sports/physical activity, short naps, listening to or playing music.

Why is creating a biosketch useful for sonography students?

It can be quickly adapted for scholarship applications, easing access to financial aid.

What is the typical hourly starting wage for a new sonography graduate in El Paso?

Approximately $26–$30 per hour.

Name two common ways students can save money during the program.

Buying used textbooks from second-year students and bringing lunch instead of eating out.

Why are complete immunizations mandatory before clinical rotations?

To protect students from diseases they may encounter in hospital patients.

What is the policy consequence of a positive drug test in the program?

Automatic dismissal from the program.

Why is regular physical activity encouraged for sonography students?

It helps manage stress and prevents weight gain common during intensive study periods.

State two classroom survival tips offered in the lecture.

Sit near the front when possible and bring snacks/water to stay alert.

What study approach is discouraged because it cannot be used during exams or registries?

Brain-dump memorization (writing notes on scratch paper at test time).

Why should sonography students avoid diagnosing patients?

Only physicians are legally authorized to diagnose; sonographers may be held liable if they disclose findings as diagnoses.

What three basic elements should a sonographer report include after an exam?

Descriptive terminology of findings, correlation with patient history, and absence/presence of abnormalities without diagnosis wording.

Define ‘acoustic window’ in ultrasound practice.

The body location that provides the clearest path for ultrasound waves to visualize a target structure.

Complete the phrase: "Practice, , practice" is essential in scan lab.

practice

Why must ultrasound gel be used for every scan?

It eliminates air between the transducer and skin, allowing sound waves to enter the body and prevents friction burn.

List four tasks first-year students may be asked to do in the clinical setting besides scanning.

Clean the room/equipment, restock linen and supplies, perform laundry (in some clinics), and transport patients or wheelchairs.

What federal law mandates strict patient confidentiality in clinical training?

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

Give two examples of protecting patient privacy during an exam.

Closing doors or curtains and covering the patient except for the area being scanned.

Which imaging modality is the oldest and relies on ionizing radiation?

Radiography (X-ray).

What main advantage does CT offer in trauma cases?

High-speed whole-body imaging in minutes.

Which imaging modality uses radioactive tracers that the patient inhales, ingests, or is injected with?

Nuclear Medicine.

For a woman under 40 with a breast lump, what imaging test is generally performed first?

Breast ultrasound.

Which modality produces images without ionizing radiation but poses strong magnetic-field hazards?

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

Why must personnel remove credit cards and metal objects before entering an MRI suite?

The powerful magnet can pull metal objects in and erase magnetic strips on cards.

What interventional imaging procedure clears blocked heart vessels using X-ray guidance?

Cardiac catheterization / cardiovascular interventional technology.

Define critical thinking in the context of sonography.

Using professional knowledge, ethics, experience, and patient data to make sound clinical judgments and decisions.

What two patient identifiers should always be confirmed before starting an ultrasound exam?

Full name and date of birth.

Why is it important to understand each facility’s written protocol before scanning there?

Different sites may vary in exam sequence or image requirements, and following protocol ensures consistency and quality.

How does keeping a clinical journal benefit a student?

It records unusual cases and reflections, aiding future presentations and reinforcing learning.

What does the phrase “be on your best behavior; every shift is a job interview” imply for students?

Professionalism and initiative in clinicals can lead directly to employment offers.

If a patient begins to faint during a scan, what critical-thinking action should you take first?

Safely move or lower the patient to a seated or lying position to prevent a fall.