Adult Echo Board Exam Questions with
Correct Answers
Where is the Chiari Network located? Correct Answ_RA--attached to eustachian valve
across to IAS; web-like structure
Conditions suited for TEE Correct Answ_Prosthetic valves
Aortic dissection
Endocarditis
Intracardiac source of embolus (SOE)
Difficult to image from chest wall
Others
TEE safety problems (6) Correct Answ_-Patient discomfort
-Airway compromise
-Vagal response or other hemodynamic compromise
-Electrical or temperature hazard
-Esophageal or tracheal trauma
,-Transmission of infection
TEE Hint: usually 4 or 5 on video portion: Correct Answ_LA myxoma, LAA with clot, sinus
of valsalva aneurysm, & Ao/MV veges
Frequency for TEE probes: Correct Answ_5-7 MHz
At what temperature is it unsafe to use a TEE probe?
a) 20-25 C
b) 25-30 C
c) 30-40 C
d) 40-45 C Correct Answ_40-45 C
Why is the SA node the primary pacemaker? Correct Answ_The SA node has the highest
intrinsic rate of any cardiac tissue.
SA node=60-70/min
AV node=50/min
myocardium=30/min
,T or F
The wave of contraction (depolarization) moves from the endocardium to the epicardium
Correct Answ_T (inside to outside)
What is the absolute refractory state? Correct Answ_That period when a muscle cell is not
excitable- from phase I until into phase 3 the "relative refractory period" is during phase 3 and
the muscle cell might contract if the stimulus is strong.
What is the normal duration for the QRS complex?
a) 0.10 msec
b) 10.0 msec
c) 0.10 sec
d) 1.0 sec Correct Answ_0.10 sec
EKG Hint Correct Answ_1 small box = 0.04 sec
1 big box = 0.2 sec
5 big boxes = 1 sec
, EKG normal values Correct Answ_R-R interval = between 3-5 big boxes (60-100 bpm)
QRS complex = less than 3 small boxes (less than 0.12 sec)
PR interval = less than 1 big box (less than 0.2 sec)
Mechanical Events
Frank-Starling Law (Length-Tension relationship) Correct Answ_-increased volume
(preload) = increased contractility (to a physiologic limit)
-increased myocardial fiber length = increase tension (rubber band theory)
*the more filled the ventricle, the greater the contraction
Preload Correct Answ_-Load (volume) exerted on the ventricle at end diastole
-determines force of contraction
-greater the load the greater the force of contraction
Increased preload: Correct Answ_-MR
-TR
-PI
-AI
Correct Answers
Where is the Chiari Network located? Correct Answ_RA--attached to eustachian valve
across to IAS; web-like structure
Conditions suited for TEE Correct Answ_Prosthetic valves
Aortic dissection
Endocarditis
Intracardiac source of embolus (SOE)
Difficult to image from chest wall
Others
TEE safety problems (6) Correct Answ_-Patient discomfort
-Airway compromise
-Vagal response or other hemodynamic compromise
-Electrical or temperature hazard
-Esophageal or tracheal trauma
,-Transmission of infection
TEE Hint: usually 4 or 5 on video portion: Correct Answ_LA myxoma, LAA with clot, sinus
of valsalva aneurysm, & Ao/MV veges
Frequency for TEE probes: Correct Answ_5-7 MHz
At what temperature is it unsafe to use a TEE probe?
a) 20-25 C
b) 25-30 C
c) 30-40 C
d) 40-45 C Correct Answ_40-45 C
Why is the SA node the primary pacemaker? Correct Answ_The SA node has the highest
intrinsic rate of any cardiac tissue.
SA node=60-70/min
AV node=50/min
myocardium=30/min
,T or F
The wave of contraction (depolarization) moves from the endocardium to the epicardium
Correct Answ_T (inside to outside)
What is the absolute refractory state? Correct Answ_That period when a muscle cell is not
excitable- from phase I until into phase 3 the "relative refractory period" is during phase 3 and
the muscle cell might contract if the stimulus is strong.
What is the normal duration for the QRS complex?
a) 0.10 msec
b) 10.0 msec
c) 0.10 sec
d) 1.0 sec Correct Answ_0.10 sec
EKG Hint Correct Answ_1 small box = 0.04 sec
1 big box = 0.2 sec
5 big boxes = 1 sec
, EKG normal values Correct Answ_R-R interval = between 3-5 big boxes (60-100 bpm)
QRS complex = less than 3 small boxes (less than 0.12 sec)
PR interval = less than 1 big box (less than 0.2 sec)
Mechanical Events
Frank-Starling Law (Length-Tension relationship) Correct Answ_-increased volume
(preload) = increased contractility (to a physiologic limit)
-increased myocardial fiber length = increase tension (rubber band theory)
*the more filled the ventricle, the greater the contraction
Preload Correct Answ_-Load (volume) exerted on the ventricle at end diastole
-determines force of contraction
-greater the load the greater the force of contraction
Increased preload: Correct Answ_-MR
-TR
-PI
-AI
