Sonography Cardiac Lab 1 DSON 5019

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Employ universal precautions for infection control.
• Practice ergonomic techniques during all scanning sessions.
• Demonstrate basic troubleshooting.
• Verify written, authorized directions for examination, identify self to patient and explain the examination to the patient.
• Ensure informed patient consent, maintain privacy, confidentiality, dignity, comfort and safety when performing sonographic examinations.
• Assess and monitor the patient's physical and mental status prior to and during examination and respond accordingly.
• Set up a 3-lead ECG and recognize components of normal sinus rhythm and common arrhythmias.
• Input patient data, select the optimal acoustic window, select the correct exam preset, annotate as required, and orient and manipulate the transducer to optimize the image.
• Select optimum system and transducer for examination considering patient's age and size, structures being examined and specific indications for examination.
• Question patients for relevant clinical information through a patient history and accurately record this medical information.
• Adapt communication in response to patient factors and situation.
• Respond to patient questions and concerns and communicate departmental reporting procedures to patients.
• Adjust instrument controls and optimize patient position and breathing.
• Understand the variables and their relationships within calculations and use software calculation packages to perform cardiac m-mode and 2D sonographic measurements.
• Using knowledge of sonographic principles and instrumentation, interrogate anatomy within an echocardiogram in a timely manner, while recognizing sonographic appearance of normal structures.
• Acquire diagnostic images and produce diagnostic data documenting sonographic findings.
• Document limitations to exam quality and completeness, equipment, and technical limitations, and identify and respond to exceptions from established echocardiographic protocols and procedures.
• Identify and respond to urgent sonographic findings.
• By participating in a School of Health Interprofessional Workshop, describe the roles within an interprofessional team and collaborate with these team members in decision-making.

Effective as of Winter 2027