NBE Transthoracic Echocardiography 2

Question 1

Which TTE view best visualizes the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) for Doppler interrogation?

Accepted Answer

Apical five-chamber

Answer

The apical five-chamber view aligns the ultrasound beam parallel to flow through the LVOT, enabling accurate PW and CW Doppler measurements.

Question 2

A patient has a mitral valve area of 0.9 cm² by planimetry. This finding is consistent with which severity of mitral stenosis?

Accepted Answer

Severe (MVA < 1.0 cm²)

Answer

An MVA < 1.0 cm² meets the echocardiographic criterion for severe mitral stenosis per ASE/ACC/AHA guidelines.

Question 3

On M-mode echocardiography, an E-point septal separation (EPSS) of 15 mm most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction

Answer

EPSS > 7 mm correlates with reduced LVEF; an EPSS of 15 mm strongly suggests significant systolic dysfunction.

Question 4

Which of the following is the most reliable echocardiographic sign of cardiac tamponade?

Accepted Answer

Right ventricular diastolic collapse

Answer

Right ventricular free wall diastolic collapse occurs when pericardial pressure transiently exceeds RV diastolic pressure, signaling tamponade physiology.

Question 5

The proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method calculates regurgitant flow rate using which formula?

Accepted Answer

2π r² × aliasing velocity

Answer

PISA flow rate = 2π r² × Va, where r is the PISA radius and Va is the aliasing (Nyquist) velocity.

(NBE) National Board of Echocardiography Practice Test

(NBE) National Board of Echocardiography Practice Test

NBE Transthoracic Echocardiography 2