Course Overview
Cardiac Sonography Lab 1 introduces students to sonographic imaging of the heart. The focus of this course is to integrate communication, professional responsibility, patient care, ergonomics and workplace safety with the operation of sonographic equipment in the creation and interpretation of 2D and M-mode cardiac images. Students will use the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) for storage and retrieval of images.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective oral, written and nonverbal communication to ensure appropriate professional relationships with patients, students and instructors.
- Demonstrate reliability and adaptability. (2.3h, 2.3i)
- Consistently demonstrate initiative, professional conduct and judgment in a respectful and cooperative way.
- Effectively maintain patient dignity, comfort and safety when performing sonographic examinations.
- Set up a 3-lead ECG and recognize components of normal sinus rhythm. (3.3 f)
- Select the optimum system and transducer for examination considering the patient's age and size, structures being examined and specific indications for examination. (4.1a)
- Set up and operate ultrasound equipment appropriately using knowledge of sonographic principles, techniques and instrumentation.
- Perform uncomplicated cardiac sonograms, selecting optimal acoustic windows, varying patient positions, and employing breathing techniques to produce diagnostic quality images, cine clips, and measurements.
- Understand the variables and their relationships within calculations, and use software calculation packages to perform cardiac m-mode and 2D sonographic measurements. (4.2g, 5.4c)
- Select the optimal acoustic window, orient and manipulate the transducer while correctly adjusting instrument controls to optimize the image.
- Understand basic troubleshooting. (4.3c)
- Participate in patient education. (2.3j)
- Assess the following structures with 2D and/or m-mode imaging, and measure on 2D and M-mode images (when applicable): cardiac position, chest and thorax, coronary vessels, hepatic veins, outflow tracts, pulmonary veins, wall layers and segments, all 4 cardiac chambers and appendages, IAS, IVS, great vessels and their branches, all cardiac valves, aortic root, MV/TV annulus, IVC and SVC. (Appendix E)
- Measure the following structures with 2D and/or M-mode imaging: outflow tracts, wall layers, all 4 cardiac chambers, and great vessels. (Appendix E)
Effective as of Fall 2024
Related Programs
Cardiac Sonography Lab 1 (DSON 1012) is offered as a part of the following programs:
School of Health Sciences
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Cardiac Sonography Option)
Diploma Full-time
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography (General Sonography Option)
Diploma Full-time
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography (General and Cardiac Sonography Option)
Diploma Full-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.