There are two (2) parts to this assessment - Part A and Part B.

Assessment 1 Part A: Written assessment.

You are required to complete a written assessment based on lecture material, tutorials and relevant material provided on the unit Moodle site. In addition to the unit materials provided, you must research current literature in order to discuss and respond to each question/topic.

Question one (approx. 500 words)

The role of the sonographer is multifaceted and encompasses much more than just taking images. Refer to your lectures, readings and course materials, and use researched information from current literature to discuss the role and responsibilities (scope of practice) as a sonographer within the context of the Australian healthcare system. The following must be included in your discussion:

• the role of the sonographer in comparison to other health professionals
• detection and documentation of pathology

Question two (approx. 500 words)

Patients will often present with symptoms that can be assessed using either computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound. Compare and discuss why ultrasound imaging would be used as the modality of choice over CT for a specific region of the body. You should include in your discussion:

• brief description of the physics involved in acquiring images.

• ionising and non-ionising radiation

• patient safety 

• possible pathologies that are better demonstrated with ultrasound.

• technical considerations involved in acquiring images in each examination - i.e., how is each performed.

Question 3 (approx. 300 words)

Identify and discuss three (3) communication skills when interacting with a patient that will ensure they have a positive patient care experience when they undergo an ultrasound examination of the female pelvis.

Include in your discussion the impact using these skills will have and how you can validate the effectiveness of your communication with your patients?

Question 4 (approx. 200 words)

When a patient presents for an ultrasound examination, sonographers follow the ISBAR method for communication and documentation of information.

• Describe how the ISBAR method is utilised in the documentation of an ultrasound examination.

• Using the ISBAR method, describe how you would communicate with your patient. Note: this may not include all parts of the ISBAR method.

Length: 1500 words (+/- 10%) Submissions outside of this range will be penalised. Reference list and figure captions are excluded.

Presentation: Inherent requirement is that it is written in appropriate academic language, and free of grammatical and spelling errors. Your assessment should be submitted as a Word document with 1.5 line spacing in 12-point Arial font.

Referencing: Your answers to each question must be supported by references. You are expected to research each question and to use references that have, and have not, been provided to you. A reference list must be provided and Vancouver referencing style must be used throughout your assessment. Ensure that your assessment is accurately referenced. References should clearly show where your information was obtained. Refer to the unit Moodle page and the CQU general website for further information. A minimum of 6 contemporary journal articles (less than 10 years old) must be used as references (additional to those provided on the unit Moodle page) for this assessment. Figures and tables must be referenced. One reference list in Vancouver fshould be provided for the whole assessment. Do not include separate reference lists for each question.

Assessment 1 Part B: Post Residential School Reflection Report.

Following the residential school, you will be required to complete a reflection report on being a patient and a sonographer. The reflection report task will assess your ability to critically evaluate:

• The role of a sonographer
• Your own personal attributes relating to the role of a sonographer.
• What a patient experiences during an ultrasound examination

Assessment of each task will be relative to the assessment marking criteria, which will be made available on the unit Moodle site.

You will be assessed on the following criteria:

• High quality submission addressing the topic questions clearly and concisely, with relevant and appropriate discussion and analysis of each topic
• Accuracy of spelling and grammar
• Correct use of medical and sonographic terminology
• Appropriateness of the reviewed literature
• Correct and accurate referencing
• Academic writing and expression
• All text, images, diagrams and tables correctly referenced and the word limit is adhered to.

A detailed marking rubric/criteria for both parts of this assessment will be made available on the unit Moodle site.

During your attendance at the compulsory Residential School, you will participate in practical activities, where you will observe, learn and practise techniques and skills relating to the sonography profession. 

100% attendance for the residential school is mandatory. You must attend the Residential School at your enrolled campus. You will be automatically allocated to this campus, and appropriate staffing/resource arrangements will be made at that location.

You must pass the practical assessment to pass the unit. Failure to attend the full residential school will mean that you will not pass this unit.

Following participation in the Residential School practical activities, you will be assessed on your ability to perform practical sonographic tasks relating to:

• Patient care and communication
• Body planes, ultrasound scanning planes and associated image recognition.

These are pass/fail tasks. You must pass the practical skills test to pass this unit.

Detailed information and marking criteria will be made available on the unit Moodle site.

The practical assessment will be conducted by a sonography lecturer or tutor, who will observe and assess your ability to carry out practical skills relating to:

• Patient care and communication
• Body planes, ultrasound scanning planes and associated image recognition.

Assessment of each task will be relative to the practical assessment marking criteria, which will be made available on the unit Moodle site.

You must pass the practical skills test to pass the practical assessment.

As per the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework), Section 5.54, this assessment must be completed on the final day of the residential school in the absence of an approved extension.

To demonstrate the understanding and knowledge of the unit's content, and to assess whether the unit's learning outcome have been achieved, students are required to complete an end of the term online test. This online test will assess the content covered in the entire unit (weeks 1 to 12), including material covered in lectures, tutorials and any additional resources supplied during the term.

A good, stable internet connection is required for the online test.

The questions will involve a combination of question types, including short and long answer questions which require typed answers and multiple-choice questions.

Ensure you read the questions properly before beginning to formulate your answers and ensure you are using appropriate terminology at all times.

The end of term online test will be available on Moodle and two hours working time will be allocated. The test cannot be paused once started, or reattempted once finished.

This is an individual task. The online test must be completed by you, without assistance or collusion with others. Any evidence of collusion will be dealt with in adherence with the CQU student academic integrity policy and procedure.

Multiple choice questions will be automatically marked correct or incorrect.

Written response questions will vary in mark allocation. Each question will have the maximum marks allocated displayed next to the question.

Short and long answers will require:

• use of correct anatomic names of structures and recognition of their normal and abnormal sonographic appearances
• use of correct sonographic terminology 
• evaluation of clinical information
• detail to demonstrate depth of understanding and critical thinking.
• identification of sonographic imaging planes, protocols and conventions as relevant
• explanation of pre and post scanning requirements, including medico legal aspects and infection control standards