BCSE (Basic & Clinical Sciences Examination) · USA / Canada · ICVA; administered through CVMA-NEB and AVMA-ECFVG
Original practice questions written to the published syllabus · not past papersX-ray physics and radiation safety, positioning and interpretation, contrast studies, ultrasonography (including reproductive), endoscopy and the basics of CT and MRI.
In the exams: ECFVG / NEB CPE radiographic positioning section; NAVLE items with images (about 15-20%); ICAR AIEEA-PG 13 (Surgery & Radiology)
NAVLE and BCSE (North America)
Image-based and vignette items: recognising GDV, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, left atrial enlargement, obstruction patterns, aggressive bone lesions and calculi; choosing the next imaging step; radiation safety practice.
How our questions for BCSE spread across the units of Diagnostic Imaging: Radiology and Ultrasonography. Difficulty: 10 easy, 34 medium, 11 hard.
| Radiographic interpretation by body system | 13 | |
| Radiographic positioning | 8 | |
| Ultrasonography | 7 | |
| CT and MRI basics | 6 | |
| Reproductive ultrasonography | 5 | |
| Endoscopy | 5 | |
| Radiation safety | 4 | |
| Contrast studies | 4 | |
| X-ray physics | 3 |
Choose an answer, then open the working. Each explanation says why the right answer is right and why the others are not.
A foot radiograph of a horse is to be made with the heel region thicker than the toe along the cassette. To use the heel effect to even out density, the thicker part should be placed:
B. Towards the cathode end of the tube
The beam is less intense on the anode side because photons leaving towards the anode pass through more target material. Placing the thicker part under the cathode side, where intensity is higher, evens out density. Moving the part away from the receptor only increases magnification and blur.
A dyspnoeic cat needs a thoracic radiograph for an orthogonal view. Which is the safer choice?
C. A dorsoventral view with the cat in sternal recumbency
Sternal recumbency (DV) is least stressful and least compromising to breathing. Forcing a dyspnoeic cat onto its back can cause decompensation; general anaesthesia in an unstable patient is risky. Stabilise first where possible.
A large-breed dog presents with non-productive retching and a distended abdomen. Which single radiographic view is most useful to confirm gastric dilatation-volvulus?
C. Right lateral abdomen
In right lateral recumbency gas rises into the displaced pylorus, which lies dorsal and to the left in volvulus, showing the compartmentalised stomach. A left lateral view fills the pylorus with fluid, hiding the sign.
Which set of findings is typical of pleural effusion?
D. Interlobar fissure lines, lung lobes retracted from the chest wall and effaced heart borders
Fluid between lobes creates fissure lines, pushes lobes away from the wall and effaces the soft-tissue heart border. A lifted heart with no peripheral markings is pneumothorax; cranioventral air bronchograms suggest pneumonia; tracheal elevation suggests left atrial enlargement.
Which feature suggests an aggressive bone lesion?
D. A long, poorly defined zone of transition with permeative lysis
Aggressive lesions (neoplasia, osteomyelitis) show cortical destruction, permeative or moth-eaten lysis, a long zone of transition and interrupted or spiculated periosteal reaction. The other options are features of non-aggressive lesions.
A cystolith in a dog's bladder is most likely to appear on ultrasonography as:
A. A hyperechoic focus with a clean distal acoustic shadow
Calculi strongly reflect and absorb sound, giving a bright surface and a clean black shadow; they usually move to the dependent part of the bladder. Anechoic structures with enhancement are fluid; an attached hypoechoic mass suggests neoplasia or polyp.
On M-mode, a dog has a left ventricular internal diameter of 40 mm in diastole and 26 mm in systole. What is the fractional shortening?
D. 35%
FS = (LVIDd − LVIDs) / LVIDd × 100 = (40 − 26) / 40 × 100 = 35%. 54% divides by the systolic value (14/26); 65% is 26/40; 14% is the difference in millimetres, not a percentage.
The upper airway of a horse is examined by resting endoscopy to assess arytenoid function. Why is sedation usually avoided?
D. Sedatives alter laryngeal movement and can produce false findings
Sedation depresses laryngeal and pharyngeal function and can mimic or exaggerate asymmetry, so the larynx is assessed in the unsedated horse. The other options are not reasons.
A dog with a primary tumour needs the most sensitive test for small pulmonary metastases. Which modality is preferred?
D. Thoracic CT
CT removes superimposition and detects smaller nodules than radiographs. Ultrasound cannot see through aerated lung; bronchoscopy views airways, not the parenchyma.
A dog has acute paraparesis. Which modality best shows the spinal cord itself, a disc extrusion and cord oedema?
D. MRI
MRI gives the best soft-tissue contrast and shows the cord, compressive material and intramedullary signal change. Radiographs show only bone and disc space changes; ultrasound cannot image through the vertebrae; scintigraphy shows bone turnover.
Ten here, 55 in the app. The Laisha app has every practice question we have written to BCSE in this subject, marked as you go, with timed papers, a jump-to-unanswered list and a certificate when you pass at 70 per cent.
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