SPI study plan

Define and distinguish the wave parameters (frequency, period, wavelength, amplitude, power, intensity, speed) and state how each changes when the sound travels from one medium to another

Compute propagation speed, wavelength, and period from given values without a calculator shortcut sheet

Apply the decibel system to express intensity and amplitude ratios and to solve attenuation-in-dB problems using the 0.5 dB/cm/MHz rule

Explain acoustic impedance and predict the relative size of a reflection at soft-tissue, bone, and air interfaces

Describe reflection, refraction, scattering, and absorption, and rank tissues by attenuation

Compare continuous wave and pulsed wave transducers by duty factor, bandwidth, Q factor, and the effect on axial resolution

Explain piezoelectric effect, element material properties, and the function of matching layer, backing material, and acoustic lens

Differentiate axial, lateral, elevational, and temporal resolution and state the instrument determinant of each

Describe beam formation, focal zone, near/far field (Fresnel/Fraunhofer), and how aperture, frequency, and focusing alter beam width

Sequence the signal path through the beam former, receiver, amplifier, demodulator, and scan converter, and classify each control as pre- or post-processing

Explain image formation for each display mode (A, B, M, 2D) and describe how frame rate, line density, depth, and field of view trade off against temporal resolution

Calculate frame rate, PRF, PRP, and duty factor from given depth and line-count values

State the Doppler equation and identify which variables the technologist can and cannot control

Contrast continuous wave and pulsed wave Doppler by range resolution, maximum velocity detectable, and typical clinical use

Interpret the spectral waveform display: baseline, scale, direction, window, and the meaning of spectral broadening

Predict and explain aliasing from PRF, Nyquist limit, frequency, depth, and angle, and list at least five corrective actions in order of preference

Describe color Doppler and color power Doppler by principle, advantages, limitations, and frame-rate cost

Apply the Doppler angle correction rule and evaluate the error introduced at 60 degrees versus steeper angles

Relate pressure gradient, Bernoulli equation, continuity equation, and resistance to spectral waveform shape and pulsatility

Distinguish high-resistance from low-resistance waveforms and identify normal versus abnormal spectral findings at common vascular and cardiac sites

Explain the mechanisms of bioeffects (thermal and mechanical/cavitation) and the conditions that favor each

Interpret thermal index and mechanical index values and apply the ALARA principle to adjust output, dwell time, and mode

Recall the key regulatory and advisory output limits (TI, MI, intensity, and the 8-hour exposure concept) and identify which are not under operator control

List and explain the components of a routine quality assurance program including phantom tests, uniformity, and dead-zone checks

Identify the causes and correct display of the major artifacts: reverberation, comet tail, shadowing, enhancement, mirror image, speed error, and slice-thickness

Design a monthly QA schedule that specifies which parameter is measured, with what device, and against what acceptance threshold

Explain receiver/display test metrics: sensitivity, uniformity, axial and lateral resolution, max depth, and vertical/horizontal distance accuracy

Diagnose system faults from image appearance (dropout, banding, dead elements, electrical interference) and state the escalation step

Re-derive Doppler correction actions and safety trade-offs for high-output modes such as spectral Doppler and color Doppler

Combine safety, artifact recognition, and Doppler settings into a single troubleshooting decision sequence

Rank your weakest five subtopics from prior weeks' scores and rebuild each from first principles

Solve mixed calculation sets spanning attenuation, frame rate, Nyquist, PRF, and resolution under a 1-minute-per-question limit

Write and answer 30 original questions that combine two domains (for example, an artifact question that depends on transducer physics)

Re-teach the highest-yield concepts aloud from memory and correct any self-identified gaps

Rehearse instrument control adjustments by predicting the effect of each knob on image and Doppler display

Complete three timed full-length practice exams under test-day conditions and score each immediately

Recompute every missed calculation and classify each remaining error as knowledge, calculation, or misread

Recite the full formula sheet plus the safety limit values from memory with no errors

Review only high-yield summaries and the week-7 error log for the final two days; avoid new material

Confirm test-day logistics, timing strategy, and a plan for flagging and returning to uncertain items