Overview
The mid-trimester (morphology) ultrasound examination plays an important role in antenatal obstetric care. In this assessment, you will learn about the role of ultrasound in evaluating fetal anatomy and biometry, as well as assessing placental position and amniotic fluid in a singleton pregnancy. Fetal findings can have significant implications for pregnancy care and management. The purpose of this assessment is to help you understand the sonographer’s role in the routine mid-trimester ultrasound examination and to prepare you for performing these scans in a clinical environment.

This assessment develops your ability to safely and effectively assess and image obstetric patients in the second trimester using obstetric phantoms in the cqu laboratories. You will demonstrate probe manipulation to adapt for fetal position, appropriate image optimisation, accurate measurements, and sonographic image evaluation. You will also demonstrate clear, patient‑centred communication.

Laboratory access: Wednesdays in Weeks 4 and 6 for practice and image acquisition. A concurrent tutorial will run in Week 4, starting 8:30am on campus. Labs are largely self/peer‑directed with tutors present to assist. Attendance is strongly recommended; additional lab time cannot be guaranteed.

Academic integrity: All images and videos must be your own work. Any potential collusion will result in an academic integrity case being raised.

Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.

Task Description

Practical Component – Acquisition of images and videos (50%)
It is important that sonographers have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely and effectively assess and image obstetric patients. This involves probe manipulation to adapt to fetal position, appropriate image optimisation, accurate measurements, and sonographic image evaluation. You will complete the following:

1. Technique demonstration videos (2 × videos, ≤3 minutes each, with audio)
Using the second trimester obstetric phantoms in the CQU sonography lab, produce two short videos recorded on a smartphone (or similar), with clear audio narration, demonstrating and explaining how you would assess:

• Video 1 – Fetal environment: fetal position and situs, placental assessment and amniotic fluid assessment
• Video 2 – Fetal heart sweeps: axial sweep of the 5 cardiac screening planes: abdominal situs, 4-chamber heart, left outflow tract, right outflow tract and 3VV (Tip: if you have difficulty demonstrating the any of these views make sure your narration explains how you would do this in the real world)

2. Static image acquisition (5 images)
Using the second trimester obstetric phantoms, acquire the following static images to the highest quality possible and annotate the views:

• Sagittal fetal profile
• Axial trans-thalamic plane
• Axial abdomen at the level used for abdominal circumference
• Longitudinal femur
• Placenta image including cord insertion 

3. Patient‑communication video (1 × video, ≤3 minutes)
Record a short video showing how you would greet the patient, introduce yourself, explain the mid-trimester ultrasound examination in layperson language, and elicit relevant clinical history (i.e. this is your ‘patient spiel’).

Written Component (50%)
Part A Discussion of image series (30%)
Word count: 1200 words (±10%). Titles, tables, and figures are not included in the word count.

Technical image selection from Moodle (5 images)
Images have been provided on Moodle for you to review (labelled: Assessment 1 Images 2026 available in both PDF and PowerPoint formats).  Critically evaluate the images labelled A, B, C and D in each of the categories outlined below. Identify which one from each category represents the most technically correct and justify your selection. Include these selected images in your written assessment.

• Biparietal diameter and head circumference
• Transverse posterior fossa
• Abdominal circumference
• Femur length
• Longitudinal cervix

Key information to include in your discussion:

• Critically evaluate all the images in each category.
•  Identify the most technical correct image for each category and justify your selection.
• Describe the normal anatomical landmarks required for each of the five images. (Hint: A table is a good way to outline this information that does not contribute to your word count).
• Describe the correct measurement technique. (Hint: Consider a diagram and insert as a Figure).
• Outline any additional structures that can be assessed in each view.
• Consider the limitations of imaging in the second trimester with reference to fetal biometry, posterior fossa development and cervical length assessment.
• Ensure the discussion is appropriately supported by evidence from the literature and referenced. 

Part B Reflection (20%)
Word count: 300 words (±10%). 

Reflect on your experience using the obstetric phantom and discuss what imaging challenges you may encounter in the clinical setting.

All components will be assessed for adherence and attention to task requirements. A marking rubric is available for more
detailed outline of assessment criteria.

Practical component - Acquisition of images.

Your images and videos will be assessed for:

name visible on all videos and images
image optimisation and use of machine settings (preset, zoom, chroma maps, split screen, etc.)
acquisition scan plane
demonstration and explanation of imaging technique (language and clarity)
appropriate selection of image
accurate caliper placement
annotation
appropriate timing (where applicable)

Written component - Discussion of image series.

Your discussion will be assessed on:

critical evaluation of the provided images
reflection (what went well, what did not go well, how could I improve and what I would do differently in the future)
relevant, accurate and complete referencing
spelling, grammar and academic writing
adherence to word count (penalties will apply if too brief or too lengthy: +/-10%)
spelling, grammar, and academic writing
critical evaluation of research sources and accurate and complete referencing

The following assessment supports can be found on the unit Moodle site:
Marking rubric
Assessment Video
Vancouver referencing information
If Generative AI is used in any way, it must be cited as per the CQU guidelines. If students choose to use Generative AI,
the following statement must be completed and included on the front page of the uploaded assessment: "I have used
(insert technology) to (insert how it was used) in accordance with the requirements of this unit. The reason I used this
was to (explain why it was used). The details of how it was used is as follows (insert how). I hereby declare that the
submission is an appropriate representation of my individual skills and abilities to meet the requirements of the task."
As per academic writing requirements and assessment criteria: citation of information should be of the primary source
(i.e. information returned by AI must be fact-checked and referenced from their original source as well as the AI source).
There is information on CQU's Academic Learning Centre (ALC) site that can assist you with referencing AI. 
Failure to cite primary sources as well as AI sources could be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Your use of generative AI must be clearly outlined in an appendix as a separate file which includes the prompt used and
generative AI response. Failure to include an appendix may result in an academic integrity investigation.

There are four (4) online quizzes to complete in this unit. 

In Week 4, you will complete an online quiz to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered for weeks 1-3. The quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.
In Week 7, you will complete an online quiz to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered for weeks 4-6. The quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.
In Week 10, you will complete an online quiz to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered for weeks 7-9. The quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.
In Week 12, you will complete an online quiz to assess your understanding of the concepts delivered for weeks 10-11.  The quiz can be accessed through the assessment tab on Moodle.
All quizzes will comprise of multiple choice and matching questions, and are worth 5% each. Students will need to note
opening and closing times to complete the quizzes during this time period.
Each quiz will be open for 20 mins and only ONE attempt is allowed. Once started, the quiz cannot be paused or
restarted.
Questions will be drawn from a pool of questions to allow tests to be different for each student.

This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. As with all other university assessment, colluding with other
students on non group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and will be reported to the Academic Integrity
Unit.

Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

Please note that the 72 hour grace period does not apply for this assessment. 

Answers will be either correct or incorrect and tabulated by the unit's online Moodle system.
Students must achieve a minimum mark of 50% to pass this assessment.