Antenatal care: umbilical artery Doppler: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Antenatal care: umbilical artery Doppler

Sample item

In a growth-restricted fetus, which umbilical artery Doppler finding carries the worst prognosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Reversed end-diastolic flow

Progressive placental resistance leads from raised S/D ratio to absent end-diastolic flow and then reversed end-diastolic flow, indicating severe placental insufficiency and imminent fetal compromise. Reversed flow is usually an indication for delivery after viable gestation.

Option by option

  • A. Normal resistance index

    A normal resistance index is reassuring.

  • B. Raised systolic to diastolic ratio with forward diastolic flow

    Forward flow with a high S/D ratio is an earlier, less severe change.

  • C. Reversed end-diastolic flow (correct)

    Correct. Reversed end-diastolic flow signals critical placental compromise.

  • D. Slightly increased pulsatility index

    A slight rise in pulsatility index is the earliest abnormality.

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.

More OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is C, Reversed end-diastolic flow. Progressive placental resistance leads from raised S/D ratio to absent end-diastolic flow and then reversed end-diastolic flow, indicating severe placental insufficiency and imminent fetal compromise.

Why is "Normal resistance index" not the answer?

A normal resistance index is reassuring.

Why is "Raised systolic to diastolic ratio with forward diastolic flow" not the answer?

Forward flow with a high S/D ratio is an earlier, less severe change.

Why is "Slightly increased pulsatility index" not the answer?

A slight rise in pulsatility index is the earliest abnormality.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antenatal care: umbilical artery Doppler in OBG. Reversed flow is usually an indication for delivery after viable gestation.

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 Antenatal care: umbilical artery Doppler?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.