Free Fetal Echocardiography Practice Test

10 Free Fetal Echocardiography Practice Questions

1. What blood vessel supplies oxygenated blood to the inferior vena cava through the ductus venosus?

   1. Umbilical artery
   2. Portal vein
   3. Umbilical vein
   4. Descending aorta
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Umbilical vein

   Umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus back to the placenta. The umbilical vein carries oxygen rich blood to the fetus from the placenta thru one of the fetal shunts, the ductus venosus leading directly to the IVC.

2. Which type of defect is most commonly misdiagnosed due to echo dropout?

   1. Aortic coarctation
   2. Single Ventricle
   3. Pulmonary Stenosis
   4. VSD
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: VSD

   Echo dropout, is the most leading reason for misinterpreting septal defects. If a septal defect is suspected, confirm in 2 planes (Apical & Lateral)

3. The three branches of the aortic arch in the correct anatomical order are:

   1. Brachiocephalic artery, Left subclavian artery, Left common carotid artery
   2. Left subclavian artery, Brachiocephalic artery, Left common carotid artery
   3. Left common carotid artery, Left subclavian artery, Brachiocephalic artery
   4. Brachiocephalic artery, Left common carotid artery, Left subclavian artery
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Brachiocephalic artery, Left common carotid artery, Left subclavian artery

   Easy way to remember the correct order of Aortic Arch branches, think ABC order: Brachiocephalic artery Left Common Carotid Artery Left Subclavian Artery

4. How many papillary muscles support the tricuspid valve?

   1. 4
   2. 3
   3. 1
   4. 2
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: 3

   3-papillary musucles supports the tricuspid valve: (1) Anterior, (2) Posterior and (3) Septal.

5. Which sonographic view is optimal for evaluating tricuspid valvular insufficiency?

   1. Apical 4ch view
   2. Subcostal 4ch view
   3. Short axis view of ventricles
   4. Apical 5ch view
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Apical 4ch view

   Valvular insufficiency = regurgitation flow which is easily seen along the interartrial septum. Place sample gate proximal to valve within right atrium in systole.

6. Which structure, unique to the right ventricle, attaches directly to the right ventricular wall?

   1. Chordae tendineae
   2. Papillary muscle
   3. Moderator Band
   4. Tricuspid valve
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Chordae tendineae

   The chordae tendineae is the only structure with direct connection to the right ventricular wall.

7. In the three-vessel trachea view, which cardiac defect is likely if color Doppler shows antegrade flow in both the aortic arch and a turbulent, dilated pulmonary artery?

   1. Tricuspid atresia
   2. Hypoplastic right heart syndrome
   3. Pulmonary Stenosis
   4. Ebstein anomaly
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Pulmonary Stenosis

   Due to a stenotic pulmonary valve, incresed velocities are seen with dilation of the pulmonary artery.

8. Maternal ingestion of lithium is associated with an increased risk for which specific congenital heart defect in the fetus?

   1. Ebstein anomaly
   2. Tetraology of Fallot (TOF)
   3. Pulmonary stenosis
   4. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Ebstein anomaly

   Maternal lithium usage especially during the 1st trimester increases the fetus risk for developing Ebstein anomaly.

9. In the first trimester, which syndrome is suggested by a reversal of the A-wave in the ductus venosus?

   1. Trisomy 21
   2. Turner Syndrome
   3. Trisomy 13
   4. Trisomy 18
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Trisomy 21

   In over half of Trisomy 21 cases, reversal of the A-wave in the ductus venosus is a common finding seen in the first trimester.

10. Sickle cell disease in the fetus most commonly manifests as what physiological adjustment?

    1. Decreased stroke volume
    2. Reduced heart rate
    3. Increased cardiac output
    4. Lower blood pressure
    Show Answer & Explanation

    Correct answer: Increased cardiac output

    Increased cardiac output is a physiological adaptation often observed in patients with sickle cell disease to meet the body's oxygen demands despite the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of sickled red blood cells.