Academic Catalog

DMS 72A: DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY PROCEDURES & APPLICATIONS

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 11.5
Hours: 1 lecture, 32 laboratory per week (396 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: BIOL 40A, 40B and 40C.
Corequisite: DMS 50A, 50B and 60A.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Produce diagnostic sonographic images, optimizing technical factors.
  • Acquire and analyze data obtained using ultrasound and related diagnostic technologies.

Description

Develops the fundamental skills, procedures, and applications for sonographic image acquisition. Includes instruction in establishing technical quality, image interpretation, analysis, and case presentation. Students have hands-on experiences in a structured lab setting with an emphasis on patient care simulation and live scanning exercises. This course also includes clinical preceptorship for obtaining technical expertise with emphasis on knowledge, skills, and abilities to acquire sonographic exams and procedures. Intended for students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Describe and apply the recognized technical standards for image acquisition
  2. Describe anatomical structures
  3. Demonstrate the safe operation of sonography equipment with supervision
  4. Describe and demonstrate the use of the key control functions of ultrasound equipment
  5. Demonstrate the ability to obtain a clinical history on a simulated patient
  6. Present clinical cases using interpretative analysis
  7. Demonstrate competency in performing the duties of the DMS assistant
  8. Demonstrate competency in obtaining vital signs and patient transfers

Course Content

  1. Commonly obtained scan planes and associated landmarks
    1. Sagittal
    2. Transverse
    3. Coronal
  2. Image acquisition standards
    1. Interpretative skills along with case analysis
  3. Image acquisition of anatomical structures
    1. Supervised image acquisition
  4. Recognize anatomical structures
  5. Supervised operation of sonography equipment
    1. Keyboard
    2. Annotation
    3. Time Gain Compensation
    4. Overall Gain
    5. Tissue harmonics
    6. Field of view
  6. Measurements of various anatomical landmarks
  7. Relationships of body position to monitor display
  8. Simulated patient care
  9. Patient identification process
  10. Effective communication regarding the ultrasound procedure
  11. Clinical history acquisition and documentation
  12. Case presentation with interpretive analysis
    1. Research
    2. Clinical history
    3. Laboratory findings
    4. Sonographic findings
    5. Correlation of pathological findings
  13. Diagnostic medical sonographer assistant duties in the clinical setting
    1. Abdominal examinations
    2. Gynecology examinations
    3. Obstetrical examinations
    4. Superficial structure examinations
    5. Vascular examinations
    6. Invasive procedures
  14. Vital signs and patient transfers
    1. Blood pressure
    2. Pulse
    3. Respiration
    4. Patient transfer including wheelchair and gurney

Lab Content

  1. Lab exercises and demonstrations of simulated patient care
  2. Lab exercise may be individual or group activity which covers assigned reading, lecture topics, and clinical experiences
  3. Incorporation of simulation training, individual tasks, interactivity with interactive case analysis and DVD media

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

DVD/TV-monitor, computer, medical sonography equipment.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Demonstration of mastery of material and technical skills through oral, laboratory exercises, clinical experience, written forms

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture presentations
Cooperative learning exercises
Demonstration
Internship/preceptorship
Clinical lab

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Curry, R., and B. Tempkin. Ultrasonography: An Introduction to Normal Structures and Functional Anatomy, 5th ed.. 2021.

Curry, R., and B. Tempkin. Ultrasonography: An Introduction to Normal Structures and Functional Anatomy: Workbook, 5th ed.. 2021.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Reading materials from texts and research on patient pathology.
  2. Critical analysis of patient examinations and findings.

Discipline(s)

Diagnostic Medical Technology