Echocardiography and Stress Test Quiz

Transthoracic echocardiography is not useful for diagnosing pericardial effusions.

The ultrasound in transthoracic echocardiography is generated by a transducer applied to the back of the chest.

Doppler techniques in an echocardiogram can show the direction and velocity of the blood flow through the heart but cannot assess for valvular regurgitation.

Echocardiography can be performed with an exercise or pharmacologic stress test to detect abnormalities in ventricular wall motion.

Myocardial ischemia from decreased perfusion during stress does not cause abnormalities in ventricular wall motion easily detected by echocardiography.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides clearer images because ultrasound waves pass through more tissue.

A topical anesthetic agent is not used during TEE due to the discomfort associated with the positioning of the transducer in the esophagus.

TEE is frequently used during cardiac surgery to continuously monitor the response of the heart to the surgical procedure.

Complications are common during TEE and are usually minor and easily manageable.

Pharmacologic stress testing using dobutamine cannot be performed in conjunction with TEE.

Patients who are cognitively impaired or physically disabled will be able to achieve their target heart rate by exercising on a treadmill or bicycle.

Vasodilating agents such as dipyridamole, adenosine, or regadenoson are used to mimic the effects of exercise by maximally constricting normal coronary arteries.

The procedure of pharmacologic stress testing may involve the use of IV aminophylline to reverse the effects of vasodilating agents if necessary.

Patients are monitored for 15 to 20 minutes after the stress test until vital signs and assessment findings return to normal.

Pharmacologic stress testing cannot be performed on patients unable to achieve their target heart rate by exercising on a treadmill or bicycle.

Transthoracic echocardiography is considered positive if abnormalities in ventricular wall motion are detected during rest but not during stress.

Transesophageal echocardiography produces poor quality images due to the passage of ultrasound through lung and bone.

Gel is applied to the skin during transthoracic echocardiography to help transmit radio waves.

The patient undergoing echocardiography may be asked to turn onto the right side at times during the test.

A stress test using echocardiography is painless for the patient.