units

SON4021

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

18 September 2017 31 December 2024
Monash University

Postgraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

LevelPostgraduate
FacultyFaculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational UnitDepartment of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
OfferedClayton First semester 2015 (Online)
Clayton Second semester 2015 (Online)
Coordinator(s)Mr Paul Lombardo

Synopsis

Sonographic scanning methods and standard protocols related to examinations of adult liver, gallbladder, biliary system, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, spleen, retroperitoneum, abdominal wall and related vascular structures. The scientific principles underpinning tissue harmonic imaging and use of contrast agents in abdominal sonography. Interpretational skills in respect to recognition of sonographic appearances of normal anatomy, anatomical variants, disease processes and ability to modify standard sonographic approaches with regards to the clinical question and patient presentation.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. describe and justify the selection of protocols, imaging parameters, equipment and transducers for sonographic examinations of the organs and structures comprising the digestive and urinary systems;
  2. perform routine sonographic examinations of the abdomen safely and to a standard and ethical conduct expected of a competent sonographer:
  3. recognise and describe normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the organs and structures comprising the digestive and urinary systems and related artefacts;
  4. appreciate the need to adapt and modify standard imaging protocols when dictated by the clinical condition of the patient together with the limitations of this imaging method;
  5. use Spectral, Colour and Power Doppler techniques where appropriate;
  6. demonstrate an understanding of the application of contrast agents and tissue harmonic imaging in abdominal sonography, describe and apply quality assurance principles to sonographic abdominal imaging.

Fieldwork

Students must be actively engaged in supervised ultrasound clinical practice in the workplace for at least three days a week (or equivalent). It is the student's responsibility to secure a supervised ultrasound clinical placement in the workplace.

Assessment

Compulsory attainment of a requisite number of ultrasound examinations (Hurdle)
2 x Assignments (1,500 words each) (30%)
Written examination (2 hours) (40%)
Image recognition examination (1 hour) (20%)
Clinical skills assessment (10%)

Requirement to obtain a pass: Students must obtain at least 50% of available marks overall and at least 50% of available marks in each of the written examination, and image recognition examination and clinical skills assessment. Hurdle requirements must be met.

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Paul Lombardo

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Medical ultrasound

Prerequisites

SON4000, SON4010.