Overview

4.6 out of 5 (72 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post-Assessment Questions

8

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

31 Jan 2026

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6345 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7566.5 hours of CE.

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Activity Description

A carotid bruit is a high-pitched vascular sound caused by turbulent blood flow, most often due to atherosclerotic narrowing, but it may also arise from nonsclerotic, inflammatory, structural, or high-output conditions. Once regarded as a strong predictor of stroke and an indication for surgical intervention, carotid bruits are now understood as one component of a broader vascular risk assessment that includes age, blood pressure, metabolic factors, and smoking history. Modern data demonstrate that many asymptomatic bruits do not progress to stroke, underscoring the need for judicious evaluation and selective imaging. This activity reviews carotid bruits, emphasizing their pathophysiology, historical significance, diagnostic limitations, and contemporary clinical relevance. 

This course outlines carotid auscultation techniques, differentiation of bruits from other cervical vascular sounds, and interpretation of findings in the appropriate clinical context. Participants will also gain practical guidance on when further diagnostic testing, referral, or interprofessional collaboration is warranted, as well as current medical and procedural management strategies aligned with evolving evidence. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner's competence in identifying carotid bruit, performing the recommended evaluation, including indicated vascular risk assessments, and implementing an appropriate interprofessional approach when managing this condition to improve patient outcomes


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the acoustic features of carotid bruits that distinguish them from cardiac murmurs.

  • Differentiate atherosclerotic carotid stenosis from other causes of cervical bruits.

  • Determine when additional diagnostic imaging is warranted for patients with a carotid bruit based on risk stratification.

  • Collaborate with interprofessional team strategies to improve care coordination when evaluating a carotid bruit.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.50 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Mary F. on 9/12/2021

Mary C. on 11/12/2021

Alvaro Z. on 12/5/2021

Michelle M. on 12/8/2021

Paul M. on 12/24/2021

Jason H. on 2/5/2022

Russell C. on 7/27/2022

Mary Claire A. on 10/17/2022

Daphne C. on 10/25/2022

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Dr. L. on 9/19/2023

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Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6345 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7566.5 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$37.50 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user