RPhS Exam Overview 

 

Examination Matrix

This examination matrix is provided to illustrate the general distribution of questions and the relative weight or emphasis given to a skill or content area on the examination.

CONTENT CATEGORY

 

A. Maintain Information, Facility, and Safety

B. Patient Diagnosis

C. Performance of Diagnostic Testing

D. Conservative Treatment / Therapy of Patients

E. Minimally Invasive and Invasive Treatment of Patients

TOTAL

Approximate % OF EXAM

 

6%

22%

35%

9%

27%

100%

Task List

The task lists below describes the activities which a Registered Phlebology Sonographer is expected perform on the job. All examinations questions are linked to these tasks.

 

 

A Maintain Information, Facility, and Safety - 6% OF EXAM

 

1.  Utilize Universal Precautions 

2.  Triage Patient Status 

3.  Inspect Electromechanical Equipment and Perform Preventative Maintenance 

4.  Optimize Workspace 

5.  Facilitate Continuous Quality Improvement 

6.  Secure and Archive Patient Information 

 

B Patient Diagnosis - 22% OF EXAM

 

1. Obtain Patient Demographic Information 

2.  Obtain Patient History 

3.  Perform Physical Exam 

4.  Establish Differential Diagnoses 

5.  Formulate and/or Assist in Formulating a Diagnostic Plan 

6.  Analyze Patient Data 

7.  Formulate and/or Assist in Formulating a Treatment Plan 

8.  Evaluate Post-Treatment Status 

 

C Performance of Diagnostic Testing - 35% OF EXAM

 

1. Confirm Indications for Study 

2. Position patient 

3. Select Appropriate Equipment and Optimize Settings 

4. Select Appropriate Transducer and Optimize Frequency

5. Perform Study Protocol 

6. Document Exam Findings 

7. Store Test Images 

8. Communicate Unusual or Abnormal Findings 

9. Provide Patient Discharge Instructions 

    

D Conservative Treatment/Therapy of Patients - 9% OF EXAM

 

1. Assist in or Provide Conservative Treatment(s) 

2. Assist in or Provide Compression Therapy 

3. Recognize Lymphedema and Facilitate its Treatment 

4. Advise Patients on Physical Therapy Options 

    

E Minimally Invasive and Invasive Treatment of Patients - 27% OF EXAM

 

1. Confirm Signed Informed Consent 

2. Assist in or Perform Visual Sclerotherapy 

3. Assist in or Perform Ultrasound Guided Procedures 

4. Assist in or Perform Minimally Invasive Treatment (e.g., phlebectomy, ablation, ligation) 

5. Perform Pre and Post Operative Evaluation of Open Surgical Procedure (e.g. phlebectomy, ablation, ligation) 

6. Consider the Use of Patient and/or Physician Reported Outcomes Measures 

7. Provide Patient Discharge Instructions 

    

TOTAL 100%

• Regulatory and Compliance Standards (e.g. OSHA, HIPAA, informed consent, medical records)

• Medical ethics

• Medical terminology

• General anatomy

• Cardiovascular anatomy and physiology (normal and abnormal)

• Venous anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

• Vascular hemodynamics

• Venous disease process and progression

• Diagnosis and treatment of lymphatic disease

• Basic math and statistical skills (formulas, exponents, decimals, scientific notation)

• Basic pharmacology

• History & physical

  • Vascular signs and symptoms

  • Risk factors (family history, genetics)

  • CEAP classification

  • Pre- and post-treatment

• Basic Life Support (BLS) 

• Safety practices for patients and staff

  • Universal precautions/infection control

  • Sterile procedure

  • Ergonomics

• Ultrasound physics

  • Ultrasound instrumentation

  • Ultrasound modalities (e.g., spectral Doppler, color Doppler, B-mode)

• Vascular anomalies and normal variances

• Nonsurgical interventions (e.g., medications, risk factor modification)

• Sclerotherapy (visual and ultrasoundguided)

• Compression therapy

• Physical therapy

• Open-surgical venous procedures

• Minimally-invasive venous procedures

• Thermal ablation

• Phlebectomy

• Other testing modalities (e.g., CT, MR, plethysmography)

• Exam correlation with other imaging modalities

• Complications of venous treatment

Knowledge List

The list below describes general areas of knowledge that are needed in order to perform the tasks identified.  This knowledge will apply across multiple tasks.