Carotid Artery Ultrasound Exam | Questions & Answers |
Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | Graded A+
1. Describe the significance of Amaurosis fugax in relation to transient ischemic
attacks.
Amaurosis fugax indicates a temporary loss of vision and can be a
warning sign of a TIA.
Amaurosis fugax is a permanent condition unrelated to TIAs.
Amaurosis fugax is a type of headache.
Amaurosis fugax is a symptom of a stroke only.
2. A limitation with MR Angiography when a stenosis is present is
Overestimation of disease
Underestimation of disease
3. If a patient presents with left arm paralysis and a history of transient ischemic
attacks (TIAs), what diagnostic procedure would be most appropriate to
assess carotid artery condition?
CT angiography
MRI of the brain
Doppler ultrasound
X-ray of the neck
4. What is the purpose of a bypass graft in treating carotid artery disease?
To restore blood flow around a blocked artery.
, To reduce blood pressure.
To strengthen the arterial wall.
To remove plaque from the carotid artery.
5. High resisitive Doppler flow signals were obtained from the right ICA while
low resisitive flow signals were obtained from the left ICA. What does this
suggest?
Significant siphon disease on the right
High-grade stenosis of the right extracranial ICA
Poor cardiac output
Significant proximal disease on the right
6. If a patient presents with high resistance Doppler flow signals from the right
ICA and low resistance from the left ICA, what clinical action should be taken
next?
Referral to a neurologist for unrelated symptoms.
Monitoring without further action.
Immediate surgical intervention on the left ICA.
Further diagnostic imaging to assess for distal intracranial ICA
disease on the right.
7. What is the definition of a Fatty Streak in relation to carotid artery disease?
A diagnostic procedure used to assess carotid artery function.
A symptom of transient ischemic attack (TIA).
An early form of atherosclerosis characterized by lipid
accumulation in the arterial wall.
A type of plaque that completely occludes the carotid artery.
,8. What is arteritis?
inflammation of artery
inflammation of nerves
inflammation of muscular walls of the heart
inflammation of pericardium
9. Describe the role of Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) in the development of
carotid artery disease.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) is unrelated to carotid artery disease.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) primarily affects venous structures, not
arteries.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) leads to abnormal arterial wall
structure, which can cause stenosis and increase the risk of ischemic
events.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) is a temporary condition that resolves
without treatment.
10. All of the following are branches of the external carotid artery EXCEPT
Occipital artery
Basilar artery
Superior thyroid artery
Ascending pharyngeal artery
11. What is a characteristic feature of post-stenosis flow in the carotid arteries?
Continuous flow
Laminar flow
, Turbulent flow
Stagnant flow
12. If a patient has a stenosis in their carotid artery that reduces the radius by
half, what would you expect to happen to the blood flow through that
artery?
Blood flow would increase due to the increased pressure gradient.
Blood flow would remain unchanged as pressure compensates for
radius reduction.
Blood flow would fluctuate unpredictably without a clear pattern.
Blood flow would decrease significantly due to increased
resistance.
13. Describe the significance of observing turbulent flow in post-stenosis
carotid artery examinations.
Turbulent flow is a normal finding in healthy arteries and indicates
good blood flow.
Turbulent flow suggests that the artery is completely blocked.
Turbulent flow is unrelated to stenosis and indicates a healthy carotid
artery.
Turbulent flow indicates disturbed blood flow due to narrowing of
the artery, which can suggest the presence of stenosis.
14. If a patient presents with symptoms of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and has
a history of carotid artery stenosis, what intervention might be
recommended to prevent future strokes?
endarterectomy
carotid stent
Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | Graded A+
1. Describe the significance of Amaurosis fugax in relation to transient ischemic
attacks.
Amaurosis fugax indicates a temporary loss of vision and can be a
warning sign of a TIA.
Amaurosis fugax is a permanent condition unrelated to TIAs.
Amaurosis fugax is a type of headache.
Amaurosis fugax is a symptom of a stroke only.
2. A limitation with MR Angiography when a stenosis is present is
Overestimation of disease
Underestimation of disease
3. If a patient presents with left arm paralysis and a history of transient ischemic
attacks (TIAs), what diagnostic procedure would be most appropriate to
assess carotid artery condition?
CT angiography
MRI of the brain
Doppler ultrasound
X-ray of the neck
4. What is the purpose of a bypass graft in treating carotid artery disease?
To restore blood flow around a blocked artery.
, To reduce blood pressure.
To strengthen the arterial wall.
To remove plaque from the carotid artery.
5. High resisitive Doppler flow signals were obtained from the right ICA while
low resisitive flow signals were obtained from the left ICA. What does this
suggest?
Significant siphon disease on the right
High-grade stenosis of the right extracranial ICA
Poor cardiac output
Significant proximal disease on the right
6. If a patient presents with high resistance Doppler flow signals from the right
ICA and low resistance from the left ICA, what clinical action should be taken
next?
Referral to a neurologist for unrelated symptoms.
Monitoring without further action.
Immediate surgical intervention on the left ICA.
Further diagnostic imaging to assess for distal intracranial ICA
disease on the right.
7. What is the definition of a Fatty Streak in relation to carotid artery disease?
A diagnostic procedure used to assess carotid artery function.
A symptom of transient ischemic attack (TIA).
An early form of atherosclerosis characterized by lipid
accumulation in the arterial wall.
A type of plaque that completely occludes the carotid artery.
,8. What is arteritis?
inflammation of artery
inflammation of nerves
inflammation of muscular walls of the heart
inflammation of pericardium
9. Describe the role of Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) in the development of
carotid artery disease.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) is unrelated to carotid artery disease.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) primarily affects venous structures, not
arteries.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) leads to abnormal arterial wall
structure, which can cause stenosis and increase the risk of ischemic
events.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) is a temporary condition that resolves
without treatment.
10. All of the following are branches of the external carotid artery EXCEPT
Occipital artery
Basilar artery
Superior thyroid artery
Ascending pharyngeal artery
11. What is a characteristic feature of post-stenosis flow in the carotid arteries?
Continuous flow
Laminar flow
, Turbulent flow
Stagnant flow
12. If a patient has a stenosis in their carotid artery that reduces the radius by
half, what would you expect to happen to the blood flow through that
artery?
Blood flow would increase due to the increased pressure gradient.
Blood flow would remain unchanged as pressure compensates for
radius reduction.
Blood flow would fluctuate unpredictably without a clear pattern.
Blood flow would decrease significantly due to increased
resistance.
13. Describe the significance of observing turbulent flow in post-stenosis
carotid artery examinations.
Turbulent flow is a normal finding in healthy arteries and indicates
good blood flow.
Turbulent flow suggests that the artery is completely blocked.
Turbulent flow is unrelated to stenosis and indicates a healthy carotid
artery.
Turbulent flow indicates disturbed blood flow due to narrowing of
the artery, which can suggest the presence of stenosis.
14. If a patient presents with symptoms of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and has
a history of carotid artery stenosis, what intervention might be
recommended to prevent future strokes?
endarterectomy
carotid stent
