1) Describe normal body structures using the appropriate sonographic terms.
Anechoic: without internal echoes. Black. Fluid-filled
Hypoechoic: darker than surrounding structures
Hyperechoic: brighter than surrounding structures
Isoechoic: the same amplification as surrounding tissue
Homozygous: smooth in texture
Heterozygous: uneven in texture
3) Describe appropriate use of gain to optimize a sonographic image.
If the gain is set too high, artifactual low level “echo noise” will be displayed throughout the image. Fluid or normal vascular structures should be anechoic (without echoes); if the gain is set too high, low level artifactual echoes will be noted in these structures.
4) Know what increases the acoustic exposure to the patient.
The acoustic exposure to the patient is not changed when the receiver gain is increased.
Increasing output power may increase acoustic exposure to the patient