TIPS EXAM | GRADED A+ | VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW
2026
• What does TIPS stand for? -✓✓ANSWER: transjugular intrahepatic
portosystemic shunt
• What is the primary purpose of a TIPS? -✓✓ANSWER: To reduce pressure in the
portal venous system by creating a pathway that allows blood to bypass some of
the liver.
• What condition is TIPS most commonly used for? -✓✓ANSWER: Cirrhosis with
complications of portal hypertension.
• What are the two major complications for which TIPS may be used? -
✓✓ANSWER: Variceal gastrointestinal bleeding and refractory/recurrent ascites.
• Can TIPS be used in people without cirrhosis? -✓✓ANSWER: Yes. It can
sometimes be used for non-cirrhotic portal hypertension when portal pressure is
sufficiently elevated.
• What is portal hypertension? -✓✓ANSWER: Abnormally high pressure in the
portal venous system.
• Why does cirrhosis cause portal hypertension? -✓✓ANSWER: Scar tissue in the
liver increases resistance to blood flowing through the liver.
, • What happens when blood cannot flow easily through a cirrhotic liver? -
✓✓ANSWER: Blood backs up in the portal system, increasing portal pressure and
causing collateral veins/varices and other complications.
• What is the portal vein's role? -✓✓ANSWER: It carries blood from the digestive
organs and spleen toward the liver.
• What is the hepatic vein's role? -✓✓ANSWER: It carries blood away from the
liver toward the inferior vena cava and ultimately the heart.
• What are varices? -✓✓ANSWER: Abnormally enlarged, dilated veins that
develop because of increased portal pressure.
• Where can varices occur? -✓✓ANSWER: Commonly in the esophagus and
stomach, but they can occur elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract/abdomen.
• Why are esophageal and gastric varices dangerous? -✓✓ANSWER: They can
rupture and cause life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding.
• How might variceal bleeding present? -✓✓ANSWER: Vomiting blood or passing
blood/dark stool.
• How does TIPS help varices? -✓✓ANSWER: It lowers portal pressure, which
decreases pressure and congestion in the varices and reduces their risk of
bleeding.
ANSWERS | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW
2026
• What does TIPS stand for? -✓✓ANSWER: transjugular intrahepatic
portosystemic shunt
• What is the primary purpose of a TIPS? -✓✓ANSWER: To reduce pressure in the
portal venous system by creating a pathway that allows blood to bypass some of
the liver.
• What condition is TIPS most commonly used for? -✓✓ANSWER: Cirrhosis with
complications of portal hypertension.
• What are the two major complications for which TIPS may be used? -
✓✓ANSWER: Variceal gastrointestinal bleeding and refractory/recurrent ascites.
• Can TIPS be used in people without cirrhosis? -✓✓ANSWER: Yes. It can
sometimes be used for non-cirrhotic portal hypertension when portal pressure is
sufficiently elevated.
• What is portal hypertension? -✓✓ANSWER: Abnormally high pressure in the
portal venous system.
• Why does cirrhosis cause portal hypertension? -✓✓ANSWER: Scar tissue in the
liver increases resistance to blood flowing through the liver.
, • What happens when blood cannot flow easily through a cirrhotic liver? -
✓✓ANSWER: Blood backs up in the portal system, increasing portal pressure and
causing collateral veins/varices and other complications.
• What is the portal vein's role? -✓✓ANSWER: It carries blood from the digestive
organs and spleen toward the liver.
• What is the hepatic vein's role? -✓✓ANSWER: It carries blood away from the
liver toward the inferior vena cava and ultimately the heart.
• What are varices? -✓✓ANSWER: Abnormally enlarged, dilated veins that
develop because of increased portal pressure.
• Where can varices occur? -✓✓ANSWER: Commonly in the esophagus and
stomach, but they can occur elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract/abdomen.
• Why are esophageal and gastric varices dangerous? -✓✓ANSWER: They can
rupture and cause life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding.
• How might variceal bleeding present? -✓✓ANSWER: Vomiting blood or passing
blood/dark stool.
• How does TIPS help varices? -✓✓ANSWER: It lowers portal pressure, which
decreases pressure and congestion in the varices and reduces their risk of
bleeding.
