100+ Free VS Practice Questions

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Reversed (retrograde) flow in the vertebral artery is diagnostic of:

Innominate artery aneurysm

Subclavian steal syndrome

Aortic dissection

Carotid occlusion

to track

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: VS Exam

215

Total Questions

175 scored + 50 pilot

3h 45m

Exam Time

ARRT

$225

Application Fee

ARRT

Passing Scaled Score

ARRT

ARRT VS (Vascular Sonography) is a post-primary credential. 215 items (175 scored + 50 pilot), 3h45m, scaled passing 75. $225 fee. Eligibility: associate degree + ARRT-approved vascular sonography education. Master cerebrovascular duplex (NASCET/SRU criteria), ABI calculation, DVT compression protocol, and abdominal vascular Doppler thresholds.

Sample VS Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your VS exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the maximum recommended Doppler angle when measuring peak systolic velocity in a peripheral vessel?

A.30 degrees

B.45 degrees

C.60 degrees

D.90 degrees

Explanation: Doppler angles should be kept at 60 degrees or less. Beyond 60 degrees, small angle errors produce large velocity errors due to the cosine function in the Doppler equation. An angle of exactly 0 degrees is theoretically ideal but anatomically rarely possible.

2Which infection control practice is required before scanning every vascular patient?

A.Sterile gloves and gown

B.Hand hygiene and probe disinfection

C.N95 mask regardless of patient status

D.Full surgical scrub

Explanation: Standard precautions require hand hygiene before and after each patient and intermediate-level disinfection of the transducer between patients per AIUM and CDC guidelines.

3When color Doppler shows aliasing in a normal vessel, the FIRST adjustment to make is to:

A.Decrease color gain

B.Increase the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) / scale

C.Change to a higher-frequency probe

D.Decrease wall filter

Explanation: Aliasing occurs when velocities exceed the Nyquist limit (1/2 PRF). Increasing the PRF/color scale raises the Nyquist limit and eliminates aliasing without altering true flow.

4ALARA principle in vascular sonography refers to:

A.Always Limit Acquisition Rate Average

B.As Low As Reasonably Achievable acoustic output

C.Automatic Linear Array Resolution Adjustment

D.Acoustic Lens Aperture Resolution Algorithm

Explanation: ALARA means using the lowest acoustic output and shortest exposure necessary to obtain diagnostic information, minimizing thermal and mechanical bioeffects.

5Which transducer frequency is BEST suited for evaluating a deep femoral vein in an obese patient?

A.12-15 MHz linear

B.7-10 MHz linear

C.3-5 MHz curvilinear

D.1-2 MHz phased array

Explanation: Deeper vessels in obese patients require lower frequencies (3-5 MHz curvilinear) for adequate penetration. Linear high-frequency probes lack the penetration needed.

6A patient becomes diaphoretic and hypotensive during a carotid duplex. The MOST appropriate first action is to:

A.Continue scanning quickly to finish

B.Stop the exam, place the patient supine with legs elevated, and call for help

C.Administer oral fluids immediately

D.Have the patient sit up to recover

Explanation: Suspected vasovagal or hypotensive episode requires stopping the exam, supine positioning with leg elevation to improve venous return, and summoning medical assistance.

7The mechanical index (MI) primarily indicates the risk of:

A.Tissue heating

B.Cavitation and non-thermal bioeffects

C.Image resolution loss

D.Doppler aliasing

Explanation: MI estimates the likelihood of cavitation-related bioeffects from negative pressure peaks. Thermal index (TI) reflects heating risk.

8Spectral Doppler sample volume should typically be placed:

A.At the vessel wall

B.In the center of the vessel lumen

C.Just outside the vessel

D.Across the entire vessel diameter

Explanation: The sample volume is centered in the lumen to capture peak laminar flow velocities and minimize wall artifact.

9Spectral broadening on a Doppler waveform is MOST consistent with:

A.Normal laminar flow

B.Turbulent or disturbed flow

C.Aliasing

D.Wall filter artifact

Explanation: Spectral broadening reflects a wide range of velocities within the sample volume, characteristic of post-stenotic turbulence or disturbed flow.

10When time-gain compensation (TGC) is incorrectly set with too much gain at depth, the image will show:

A.Loss of penetration

B.Excessive brightness in deeper tissue

C.Reverberation artifact in the near field

D.Aliasing in color Doppler

Explanation: Excess TGC at depth amplifies returning echoes from deep tissue, making the deep portion of the image too bright relative to the near field.

About the VS Exam

ARRT post-primary credential for vascular ultrasound technologists. Validates expertise in cerebrovascular duplex (carotid, vertebral, transcranial), peripheral arterial (ABI, segmental pressures, waveforms, bypass surveillance), peripheral venous (DVT compression, reflux, vein mapping), abdominal vascular (aorta, renal, mesenteric, portal, TIPS), and accreditation/quality standards.

Questions

215 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours 45 minutes

Passing Score

Scaled 75

Exam Fee

$225 (ARRT)

VS Exam Content Outline

15%

Patient Care, Safety, Image Production

Patient assessment, ALARA, transducer selection

25%

Cerebrovascular

Carotid duplex (PSV/EDV/ratio NASCET), vertebral, TCD

20%

Peripheral Arterial

ABI, TBI, segmental pressures, waveform analysis, bypass surveillance

20%

Peripheral Venous

DVT compression US, reflux >0.5s SFJ, vein mapping

15%

Abdominal Vascular

AAA, renal artery (PSV >180 / RAR >3.5), mesenteric, portal, TIPS

Quality, Accreditation, Documentation

ICAVL/IAC, technologist credentialing, reporting

How to Pass the VS Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled 75
Exam length: 215 questions
Time limit: 3 hours 45 minutes
Exam fee: $225

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VS Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master SRU 2003 ICA stenosis criteria: PSV/EDV/ICA-CCA ratio thresholds for <50%, 50-69%, ≥70%

2Memorize ABI: highest ankle / highest brachial; >1.0 normal; <0.4 severe; >1.4 noncompressible → TBI

3Know DVT protocol: complete compression failure of common femoral, femoral, popliteal — diagnostic of acute DVT

4Apply renal artery duplex thresholds: PSV >180 cm/s + RAR >3.5 = significant RAS

5Understand TIPS surveillance: shunt PSV 90-190 cm/s (varies by lab); PSV change >50 cm/s suggests stenosis

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between ARRT VS and ARDMS RVT?

Both credential vascular sonographers but represent different professional bodies. ARRT VS (R.T.) is for radiologic technologists who specialize in vascular ultrasound — ARRT post-primary. ARDMS RVT is the diagnostic medical sonography credential for vascular technology — separate prerequisite (SPI). Many vascular technologists hold both.

What ICA stenosis criteria are tested?

SRU 2003 consensus criteria for ICA stenosis: <50% = normal/mild (PSV <125 cm/s, ICA/CCA ratio <2.0); 50-69% = moderate (PSV 125-230, ratio 2.0-4.0, EDV 40-100); ≥70% = severe (PSV >230, ratio >4.0, EDV >100); near-occlusion (markedly narrowed lumen with low velocities); occlusion (no flow). Measure PSV from same gate position throughout. NASCET vs ECST methods differ in measuring stenosis %.

How do I calculate ABI?

Ankle-Brachial Index = highest ankle pressure (PT or DP) ÷ highest brachial pressure (R or L). Normal ABI >1.0; mild PAD 0.71-0.99; moderate 0.41-0.70; severe ≤0.40. ABI >1.40 = noncompressible (often diabetes/CKD calcified vessels) — use TBI (Toe-Brachial Index) instead, with normal TBI ≥0.7.

How should I study for ARRT VS?

Plan 60-100 hours over 8-12 weeks. Focus on cerebrovascular (25%), peripheral arterial (20%), and peripheral venous (20%) — together 65% of exam. Master SRU ICA criteria, ABI calculation, DVT compression, and abdominal Doppler thresholds. Use ICAVL/IAC accreditation standards as a reference.