Cross-Sectional quiz 1

assessment notes

results of the physical examination, including a listing of the patient’s symptoms

differential diagnoses

multiple pathologic conditions that may be indicated by the ultrasound findings and reported as such by the interpreting physician

electronic medical record (EMR)

a computer-based version of a patient’s medical information

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Bloodborne pathogen that requires standard precautions to reduce exposure risk. Health care workers can protect themselves with the hepatitis B vaccine, which requires three shots over 6 months and is offered at most health care facilities

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

bloodborne pathogen that requires standard precautions to reduce exposure risk. Virus may lead to AIDs, a deficiency of the autoimmune system that in many cases is terminal

Interpretive Report (final report)

sonologist’s (radiologist, physician) formal, legal, interpretive report of the ultrasound findings

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

an agency within the united states department of labor. OSHA standards are designed to protect health care workers from major bloodborne diseases

Patient Chart

compilation of patient information, including medical history, results of physical examination, patient’s symptoms and laboratory test results

Sonographer

ultrasound professional responsible for performing and recording ultrasound studies for physician interpretation

sonologist/radiologist

physician responsible for providing the final, legal, interpretive report (which may include differential diagnoses) of ultrasound findings

standard precautions

treating all patients as if they may have HBV/HIV or other bloodborne or infectious disease, meaning that engineering, workplace, and housekeeping controls are in place to ensure safety

Technical Observations/Comments

sonographer’s written comments and summary of ultrasound findings using sonographic terminology. Never to be considered a final diagnosis, because it is not considered justified (level of education, training, experience) or legal

Ultrasound request form

sent digitally or as a paper or faxed copy to include the patient identification data, clinical symptoms, the examination requested, and the reason why

engineering controls

medical instruments or practices that reduce the risk of exposure such as autoclaves and sterilization methods, self-sheathing needles, biosafety precautions

work practice protocols

gloves when handling blood or bodily fluids, additional protective gear, including gowns, maybe be indicated; proper and frequent handwashing is essential

Proper cleaning and disinfection of ultrasound systems and probes

keeping equipment clean and contaminant free; disposal of sharps and laundry in appropriate containers. Use high-level disinfection for any probe exposed to the body fluids or in contact with mucous membranes

Hepatitis B vaccination

3 doses over 6-month period recommended for health care workers at risk

Influenza Vaccine

recommended yearly and often required for healthcare workers

acoustic enhancment

“increased echo amplitude” or “posterior through transmission” visualized posterior to a structure that does not attenuate (decrease, stop, impede, or absorb) the sound beam. Considered a type of sonographic artifact

acoustic impedance

the resistance a material provides to the passage of sound waves

acoustic shadows

“reduced echo amplitude” or echo “drop off” posterior to a structure that attenuates (decreases, stops, impedes, or absorbs) the sound beam. Margins of the shadow are generally sharp and well defined. Considered a type a sonographic artifact

ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable)

the prudent use of diagnostic sonography; indicates that the output level and exposure time to ultrasound is minimized while obtaining diagnostic data

anechoic

echo free appearance on a sonographic image

anterior (ventral)

situated at or directed toward the front. A structure in front of another structure

artifact

image artifacts are echo features or structures observed on ultrasound images that are unassociated with the object being imaged

Ascites

accumulation of serous fluid anywhere in the abdominopelvic cavity

attenuation

decrease in the intensity of the sound beam as it passes through a structure, caused by absorption, scatter or beam divergence

axial (short axis) (view or section)

at right angles to longitudinal sections. Term used to describe the section of a structure portrayed within a scanning plane image

beam divergence

widening of the sound beam as it travels

Calculi “stones”

concentration of mineral salts that may be accompany some disease process

calipers (electronics)

two or more measurement cursors that can be manipulated to calibrate the distance between echos of interest on the imaging screen

color flow doppler

doppler shift information in two-dimensional presentation superimposed on a real-time gray-scale anatomic cross-sectional image

complex mass

abnormal mass within the body that is composed of both tissue and fluid

contralateral

situated on or affecting the opposite side

contrast

a comparison to show differences

coronal scanning planes

any plane parallel to the long axis of the body and perpendicular to sagittal scanning planes

coupling agent

substances used to reduce air between the ultrasound transducer and surface of the skin

crura of diaphragm

right and left crus or fibromuscular bands arising from the lumbar vertebrae that insert into the central tendon of the diaphragm

cystic

describes the sonographic appearance of a fluid collection within the body that does not meet the criteria to be considered a true cyst

deep

internal, situated away from the surface

depth of penetration

maximum distance the sound beam travels from the transducer through a medium

diffuse disease

infiltrative disease throughout an organ that disrupts the otherwise normal sonographic appearance of organ parenchyma

distal

situated farthest from the point of origin

doppler (effect)

change in observed sound frequency caused by relative motion between the source of the sound or reflector and the observer

echogenic

describes a structure that is able to produce echos or echo patterns on sonograms

echopenic

few echos

echo texture

describes the sonographic appearance of soft tissue structures within the body

extraorgan pathology

abnormal disease process that originates outside of the organ

focal/multifocal change

disease process confined to isolated area(s) of an organ

focal zone

the point at which the sound beam is the narrowest and the resolution is the best

gray scale

scale of achromatic colors having multiple graduations from white to black