TEST INSTRUCTIONS
Please answer the 10 questions below, and then click the Submit button. You must correctly answer at least 7 questions to pass; however, you may retake an incorrectly answered question as many times as you wish.

Feel free to refer to the course materials during this test. Please note that ALL the material on which the questions are based can be found in the slide presentations (without the audio). After clicking the Submit button, scroll down to review brief explanations of the answers.

Once you have obtained a passing score, a login/registration box will appear. After you log in (returning eMedicine users) or register (new eMedicine users), you must complete a short course survey/evaluation to obtain your CME certificate. You may immediately view and print your certificate, and a copy will also be e-mailed to the address you provided upon registration. We hope you find this online activity both educational and enjoyable, and thank you again for participating.

  1. According to the literature, which of the following events is responsible for the highest number of deaths?

    A. Incident stroke
    B. Incident transient ischemic attack (TIA)
    C. Recurrent stroke
    D. Cardiovascular event following stroke

  2. The clearest established benefit has been demonstrated with carotid endarterectomy in which of the following?

    A. Symptomatic patients (carotid stenosis <50%)
    B. Symptomatic patients (carotid stenosis 50%-69%)
    C. Symptomatic patients (carotid stenosis >70%)
    D. Asymptomatic patients (carotid stenosis >70%)

  3. Approximately how many strokes can be prevented in the United States simply by controlling hypertension?

    A. 68,500
    B. 89,500
    C. 146,000
    D. 360,500

  4. According to the 7th Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (BP), antihypertensive drugs are warranted in which of the following types of patients?

    A. BP = 118/75 mm Hg and no compelling indications
    B. BP = 118/75 mm Hg and diabetes
    C. BP = 130/85 mm Hg and chronic kidney disease
    D. BP = 130/85 mm Hg and no compelling indications

  5. The recent Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial demonstrated a significant reduction in stroke or TIA incidence in patients taking lovastatin compared with patients taking placebo.

    A. True
    B. False

  6. Which of the following characteristics in a patient with atrial fibrillation does NOT necessitate stroke prevention therapy with an oral anticoagulant?

    A. Age <65 years
    B. Diabetes
    C. Poor left ventricular systolic function
    D. Mitral stenosis

  7. The European/Australasian Stroke Prevention in Reversible Ischemia Trial (ESPRIT) showed that the combination of aspirin plus dipyridamole was more effective in preventing ischemic events in stroke or TIA patients than aspirin alone.

    A. True
    B. False

  8. A subgroup analysis of the Clopidogrel for High Atherothrombotic Risk and Ischemic Stabilization, Management, and Avoidance (CHARISMA) trial suggested that the combination of clopidogrel plus aspirin was significantly more beneficial than placebo plus aspirin in symptomatic patients with which of the following?

    A. Prior MI
    B. Prior stroke
    C. Symptomatic peripheral arterial disease
    D. All of the above

  9. Which of the following is NOT an acceptable option for initial preventive therapy in patients with noncardioembolic stroke or TIA?

    A. Aspirin
    B. Aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole
    C. Clopidogrel
    D. Warfarin

  10. FDA-approved treatments for acute ischemic stroke include which of the following?

    A. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and the MerciŽ clot retrieval device
    B. Intra-arterial tPA
    C. tPA combined with transcranial Doppler ultrasound
    D. All of the above