VT Non-Invasive Testing Procedures 2

Question 1

Which waveform characteristic is MOST associated with a proximal arterial obstruction when assessing a distal vessel?

Accepted Answer

Monophasic dampened waveform with loss of dicrotic notch

Answer

A proximal obstruction dampens the distal waveform, producing a monophasic pattern with loss of the dicrotic notch and reduced pulsatility.

Question 2

During a lower extremity venous duplex exam, which finding is MOST diagnostic of acute deep vein thrombosis?

Accepted Answer

Anechoic lumen with absence of spontaneous flow and non-compressibility

Answer

Acute DVT classically presents as a non-compressible vein with anechoic (echo-free) intraluminal thrombus and absent spontaneous flow.

Question 3

A patient's ankle-brachial index (ABI) is 0.55. Which clinical category does this fall into?

Accepted Answer

Moderate peripheral arterial disease

Answer

An ABI of 0.41–0.70 indicates moderate PAD, associated with claudication symptoms.

Question 4

What is the significance of a post-exercise ABI that DECREASES by more than 20% from resting values?

Accepted Answer

Evidence of hemodynamically significant arterial stenosis

Answer

A post-exercise ABI drop >20% confirms hemodynamically significant PAD even when resting ABI is borderline.

Question 5

Which parameter is used to calculate the Resistive Index (RI) in renal duplex ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

(PSV − EDV) / PSV

Answer

RI = (PSV − EDV) / PSV; values >0.70 suggest increased downstream resistance or intrinsic renal disease.

(VT) Vascular Technician Certification Practice Test