Overview
This unit explores the sonographic assessment of normal and pathological abdominal structures. Lectures and interactive tutorials, incorporating clinical narratives, are used to lay the foundations for you to analyse clinical scenarios. These scenarios are used to engage you in the sonographic decision-making process which culminates in the creation of a sonographers' interpretive report, including research into related sonographic pathologies.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite MEDS11001 Fundamentals of Sonographic Practice AND Prerequisite MEDS11002 Relational Anatomy and Image Recognition OR MEDI11003 Relational Anatomy AND Corequisite MEDS12001 Physics of Ultrasound
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Self Reflection: It is evident from the distribution of grades that students can clearly cope with the allocated work load allocated to them in this unit delivery. Abdominal Ultrasound is a core foundational theoretical unit which offers essential materials for second year clinical placement. MEDS12002 carries a heavy theoretical loading, however, delivers only the essential anatomical, pathological and scanning skills necessary to becoming a novice sonographer.
Comments on unit loading
Being the unit coordinator for MEDS12002 over the past triennium, I feel that necessary changes have been implemented in the structure of the syllabus, however, would like to see the removal of the current assessment item and the implementation of the stated summative quizzes to reiterate weekly teachings to reinforce student learning.
- Describe anatomical structures on sonographic images of the abdomen.
- Differentiate the clinical appearance, sonographic appearance and aetiology of abdominal pathological processes.
- Classify laboratory data relevant to the abdomen.
- Analyse clinical scenarios to provide a differential diagnosis and produce a sonographic report.
The learning outcomes for this unit relate to the requirements of the Australian Sonographers Association Competency Standards for the Entry Level Sonographer.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Examination - 60% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Examination - 60% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
A Guide to Clinical Practice, Abdomen and Superficial Structures
Edition: 3rd or 4th (2014 & 2017)
Authors: Diane Kawamura and Bridgette Lunsford
Lippincott Williams &Wilkins
Philadelphia Philadelphia , Pennsylvan , United States of America
ISBN: 1605479969
Binding: Other
Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Abdomen and Superficial Structures
Edition: 3rd and 4th allowed (2014 & 2017)
Authors: Diane M. Kawamura and Tanya D. Nolan
Wolters Kluwer
Philadelphia Philadelphia , Pennsylvan , United States of America U.S.A.
ISBN: 3rd: 9781469805184 4th: 9781496399359
Binding: Other
Sonography Exam Review
2nd Edition (2014)
Authors: Susanna Ovel
Elsevier
St Louis St Louis , Missouri , United States of America
ISBN: 978-0323100465
Binding: Other
Additional Textbook Information
"Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Abdomen & Superficial Structures," will be used as the prescribed text for two courses this term - MEDS12002 Abdominal Ultrasound and MEDS12003 Superficial Structures in Ultrasound.
This book comes packaged with the workbook at a reduced cost to students.
"Sonography Exam Review," includes a mobile app with interactive flash cards, mobile app for quick quizzes, timed mock exams and two interactive sonographical interactive memory games.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom Collaborate
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.meng@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Pancreas
Chapter
-
Chapter 7: 3rd Ed: p 207-221 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 7: 4th Ed: p 213-227 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 9: p 123-135 Sonography Exam Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Zoom Collaborate Session: Tuesday 10:30am (AEST)
- Overview & Introduction to Abdominal Ultrasound
Module/Topic
Abdominal Vascular Structures
Chapter
- Chapter 4: 3rd Ed: p 57-77, 86-96 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 4: 4th Ed: p 59-79, 87-97 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 13: p 184-198 Sonography Exam Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Gallbladder &
Biliary System
Chapter
- Chapter 6: 3rd Ed: p 165-203 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 6: 4th Ed: p 171-209 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 8: p 105-122 Sonography Exam Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Zoom Collaborate Session: Tuesday 10.30am (AEST)
- Basic Worksheet Completion & Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Case Study
Module/Topic
Liver
Chapter
- Chapter 5: 3rd Ed: p 101-162 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 5: 4th Ed: p 101-169 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 7: p 86-104 Sonography Exam Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Abdominal Wall & Diaphragm
Peritoneal Cavity
Chapter
- Chapter 2: 3rd Ed: p 13-37 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 3: 3rd Ed: p 39-55 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 2: 4th Ed: p 13-39 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 3: 4th Ed: p 41-57 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 15: p 218-221 Sonography Exam Review
- Chapter 18: p 259-264 Sonography Exam Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Zoom Collaborate Session: Tuesday 10.30am (AEST)
- Basic Worksheet Completion & Liver Case Study
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Kidneys
Chapter
- Chapter 10: 3rd Ed: p 265-337 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 10: 4th Ed: p 271-333 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 10: p 136-146 Sonography Exam Review
- (Omitting vascular disorders of the kidneys)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lower Urinary System
Chapter
- Chapter 11: 3rd Ed: p 341-365 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 11: 4th Ed: p 335-356 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 10: p 148-149 Sonography Exam Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Zoom Collaborate Session: Tuesday 10.30am (AEST)
- Basic Worksheet Completion & Renal Case Study
Written Assessment Due: Week 7 Friday (27 Apr 2018) 11:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Prostate
Chapter
- Chapter 12: 3rd Ed: p 367-387 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 12: 4th Ed: p 357-375 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 16: p 229-238 Sonography Exam Review (Prostatic components only)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Adrenal Glands
Chapter
- Chapter 13: 3rd Ed: p 389-416 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 13: 4th Ed: p 377-402 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 12: p 170-175 Sonography Exam Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Spleen
Chapter
- Chapter 8: 3rd Ed: p 225-241 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 8: 4th Ed: p 229-245 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 11: p 158-169 Sonography Exam Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Gastrointestinal Tract
Chapter
- Chapter 9: 3rd Ed: p 243-262 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 9: 4th Ed: p 247-269 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 14: p 199-211 Sonography Exam Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Zoom Collaborate Session: Tuesday 10.30am (AEST)
- Mock Examination (Revision)
Module/Topic
Retroperitoneum
Chapter
- Chapter 14: 3rd Ed: p 419-433 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 14: 4th Ed: p 405-419 Abdomen & Superficial Structures
- Chapter 12: p 170 & 175-183 Sonography Exam Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Revision/Exam Week
Chapter
- Abdomen Mock Exam:
- Sonography Exam Review p 271 - 294
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Exam Week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
- End of Term Summative Examination (60%)
- Note: A pass of 50% MUST be achieved in this examination to pass this course
Unit Work
This is a 6 credit point subject which acts as a prerequisite for MEDS12004 Sonographic Skills Development 1 which will be taken in term two (2) of this teaching year. Teachings of, "Abdominal Ultrasound," will be heavily revisited and your knowledge relied upon in your laboratory abdominal scanning curriculum. I encourage you to study the unit profile carefully and contribute to the on-line discussion forums, to initiate a rapport with fellow students. It is recommended that a commitment of 12.5 hours of study be conducted per week, making a total of 150 hours upon course completion.
This year's assessment item has been simplified to a single task to assist in the learning of abdominal pathological conditions. A pathological brochure assessment has been allocated to enable a more directive and less wordy style of assessment and non-assessable online quizzes have been incorporated to assist in the testing of your knowledge.
On-line Zoom Collaborate Tutorials
On-line zoom collaborate tutorials will be conducted (see Moodle schedule for times and dates) throughout the term to facilitate worksheet completion and case study scenarios which will, in-turn, consolidate unit teachings. All tutorial concepts will be considered as end of term examinable material. Zoom will be the software of choice for tutorial delivery. Please ensure that you are proficient in the use of the technologies required to access these tutorials and that your computer has the appropriate capabilities.
This is a purely theoretical subject which bears a heavy theoretical workload, please ensure you are consistent with study commitments.
I look forward to the privilege of delivering our unit topic, as you advance towards your sonographic qualification.
Kind regards and all the best for the forthcoming academic year,
Sharon Meng
1 Written Assessment
Context: Part of a Sonographer's day to day activities, is to provide an accurate and clear explanation of their sonographical findings. It is an important skill for a health professional to be able to provide clinical findings in a brief and concise manner. One of the best ways to provide easy to read information about pathologies to patients is through the use of a brochure.
Task: Your assessment task is to create a (tri-fold, 6 panel digital only) brochure. You will be provided with a list of abdominal pathologies sourced from your course content, weeks 1–4. You are required to select only ‘one’ to form the basis of your assessment task. The brochure is to be written for a patient audience and must emphasis the use of sonography in the diagnostic process.
The brochure is to be used as an educational tool to inform the general public about a particular disease process and to raise awareness of the use of ultrasound to assist in diagnosis. A template and exemplar will be provided with details of the information to be included in your brochure. The brochure will be completed in electronic/digital format and submitted via the course Moodle site.
This assessment will assist you to develop the skills to describe aetiology of diseases and diagnostic processes to your future patients, using terminology that is easy to understand. This task will give you the opportunity to develop skills in prioritising information for inclusion and the use of clear concise writing without technical jargon. Creating this brochure will involve researching relevant information and being creative in design so that the information is engaging to the reader.
Word Length: There is no word length, however must be presented in a readable font size for a brochure intended for patients.
Week 7 Friday (27 Apr 2018) 11:00 am AEST
Submission is required via CQU Moodle site upload
Week 9 Friday (11 May 2018)
Written assessment will be returned within 2 weeks of the due date as per CQU protocol
Assessment criteria for the abdominal pathological brochure includes:
- Evidence based information
- Grammar & punctuation
- Readability
- Aesthetic appearance
- Image inclusions
- Referencing
You MUST achieve a minimum grading of 50% in this assessment to pass this course.
- Describe anatomical structures on sonographic images of the abdomen.
- Differentiate the clinical appearance, sonographic appearance and aetiology of abdominal pathological processes.
- Classify laboratory data relevant to the abdomen.
- Analyse clinical scenarios to provide a differential diagnosis and produce a sonographic report.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
Examination
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
