MRS546 Obstetric Ultrasound (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Medical Radiation Science (MEDRA)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject is offered concurrently with supervised clinical practice to provide an understanding of the sonographic approach to obstetric ultrasound. The subject offers theoretical information underpinning the ultrasound examination of all three trimesters of pregnancy. The aim is to provide the subject basics with which to acquire the knowledge to assess the developing fetus, and the maternal environment during pregnancy in terms of both sonographic and obstetric principles. Relevant ethical, medico-legal and communication issues will also be explored.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 2 | |
|---|---|
| Distance | Wagga Wagga |
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: MRS546
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Assumed Knowledge:
- Students are expected to have background knowledge of embryology, anatomy, physiology and pathology.
- Students enrolled in MRS546 must be employed in a general ultrasound department under appropriate supervision for the duration of the subject.
Enrolment restrictions:
Available only to students enrolling in the Graduate Diploma or Master of Medical Ultrasound courses.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- Be able to perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations of the pregnant patient under supervision in a safe and ethical manner and providing due care for the patient;
-
assess performed obstetric scans for each trimester of pregnancy to determine:
- estimation of gestational age
- evaluation of fetal growth and presentation
- presence of certain structural fetal abnormalities
- presence of any maternal complications with knowledge of maternal risk factors - be aware of medico-legal issues relevant to obstetric ultrasound.
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
Topic 1. First Trimester
- Visualisation and localisation of the gestational sac. (intra-uterine vs ectopic)
- Identification of embryonic demise or living embryo
- Determination of the number of embryos and the chorionicity and amnionicity in multi-fetal gestations.
- Estimation of gestational age
- Early assessment of certain anatomy structures and thus early diagnosis of certain fetal anomalies
- Knowledge of protocols and requirements from external auditing bodies in the performance of first trimester screening assessments.
- Other diagnostic tests and relation to Ultrasound. eg biochemical analysis and CVS.
Topic 2. Second Trimester
- Fetal biometry technique of images required and measurements performed.
- Fetal anatomy documentation at the morphology scan.
- Placenta and liquor assessment
- Multi-fetal gestations.
- Maternal complications with features detectable in the fetus.
- Other diagnostic tests and relation to ultrasound eg biochemical analysis and amniocentesis.
Topic 3. Third Trimester
- Fetal Growth
- Fetal well being
- Cervical assessment
- Placenta and liquor
- Multi-fetal gestations.
- Doppler studies.
Topic 4. Communication
- Sonographer-Patient communication
- Sonographer-Reporting and referring doctor communication.
- Worksheet and report documentation.
- Ethics and medico-legal aspects of obstetric scanning.
Workplace Learning
This subject contains a Compulsory Workplace Learning component of 18 days duration.
Students are required to be working in a medical ultrasound department as a trainee sonographer as a condition of enrolment in the medical ultrasound courses. Students may work in public or private practice and are employees of the clinical institution on a paid or supernumerary basis.
Students work under the supervision of an Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Accredited Medical Sonographer and are eligible to join the ASAR registry as an Accredited Student Sonographer. As the student’s skills progress from novice to advanced beginner the level of supervision will typically progress from direct supervision to a more general supervision in keeping with the employer's requirements, thus the students become immersed in fully authentic roles of practice.
As students perform a range of ultrasound examinations in the workplace they are able to collect data from selected examinations to write up for assignment submissions (case studies and case reports). In addition, they undertake a process of critical reflection upon their practice and are encouraged to work closely with supervisors and colleagues to inform and improve their professional practice.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.