Obstetric imaging: umbilical artery Doppler: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Obstetric imaging: umbilical artery Doppler

Sample item

A growth-restricted fetus at 30 weeks has umbilical artery Doppler showing absent end-diastolic flow. What does this imply?

AA fetal arrhythmiaBSeverely raised placental resistance and a high risk of fetal compromiseCA normal finding in the third trimesterDImproved fetal oxygenation

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Severely raised placental resistance and a high risk of fetal compromise

Absent or reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery reflects obliteration of placental villous vessels and carries a high risk of hypoxia and stillbirth. It prompts close surveillance and timing of delivery.

Option by option

A. A fetal arrhythmia
An arrhythmia is shown on fetal heart rate monitoring.
B. Severely raised placental resistance and a high risk of fetal compromise (correct)
Correct. Absent end-diastolic flow signals very high placental resistance.
C. A normal finding in the third trimester
Normal flow is forward throughout diastole.
D. Improved fetal oxygenation
It indicates impaired, not improved, placental exchange.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, Severely raised placental resistance and a high risk of fetal compromise. Absent or reversed end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery reflects obliteration of placental villous vessels and carries a high risk of hypoxia and stillbirth.

Why is "A fetal arrhythmia" not the answer?

An arrhythmia is shown on fetal heart rate monitoring.

Why is "A normal finding in the third trimester" not the answer?

Normal flow is forward throughout diastole.

Why is "Improved fetal oxygenation" not the answer?

It indicates impaired, not improved, placental exchange.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obstetric imaging: umbilical artery Doppler in Radiology. It prompts close surveillance and timing of delivery.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Obstetric imaging: umbilical artery Doppler?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.