Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Adult Echocardiography Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to help you understand the concepts better. Ready yourself for success!

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What sound is associated with mitral stenosis during auscultation?

Opening snap
Click
Gallop
Blowing murmur

The correct answer is: Opening snap

In the context of mitral stenosis, the most characteristic sound heard during auscultation is an opening snap. This sound occurs due to the sudden halt of the thickened, stiffened mitral valve leaflets as they open. The opening snap is an important auscultatory finding that typically follows the second heart sound, representing the increased pressure gradient between the left atrium and the left ventricle during diastole as the valve opens. The presence of an opening snap indicates significant mitral stenosis and is often associated with a diastolic murmur that follows it. Understanding this auscultatory finding is essential for distinguishing mitral stenosis from other cardiac conditions. In contrast, the other sounds mentioned, such as a click, gallop, or blowing murmur, are associated with different cardiac conditions or valve issues rather than mitral stenosis specifically. Therefore, the hallmark auscultatory finding in mitral stenosis is indeed the opening snap.