PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is an audible sign associated with carotid disease upon auscultation?

1. Rumbling sound

2. Audible wheeze

3. Audible bruit

4. Silence

The correct answer is: Audible bruit

An audible bruit is a sound heard during auscultation of the carotid arteries that can indicate the presence of carotid disease. This sound, often described as a whooshing or swishing noise, arises from turbulent blood flow within the carotid artery, which can occur due to narrowing (stenosis) caused by atherosclerosis or other vascular conditions. The turbulence is sufficient to produce a sound that can be detected with a stethoscope placed over the cervical region where the carotid arteries are located. Detecting a bruit is clinically significant because it suggests that there may be vascular obstruction or abnormal blood flow, which can increase the risk of ischemic events, including transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or strokes. As a result, the presence of a bruit often prompts further evaluation, including imaging studies like a carotid Doppler ultrasound, to determine the degree of stenosis and guide management decisions. In this context, the other options do not relate to carotid disease. A rumbling sound might occur in different cardiovascular conditions but is not specific to carotid disease. An audible wheeze is typically associated with respiratory conditions like asthma or bronchitis, while silence would indicate a lack of detectable sounds, which does not provide any diagnostic information