Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary function of the heart within the cardiovascular system?

Accepted Answer

It acts as a muscular pump to generate the force necessary to circulate blood throughout the body.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a function of the cardiovascular system?

Accepted Answer

Producing digestive enzymes

Question 3

The heart is located in which region of the thoracic cavity?

Accepted Answer

Inferior mediastinum

Question 4

Which layer of the heart wall is primarily responsible for the heart's contractile function?

Accepted Answer

Myocardium

Question 5

What is the main role of the fibrous skeleton of the heart?

Accepted Answer

It electrically insulates the atria from the ventricles and anchors the heart valves.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about the cardiac conduction system is correct?

Accepted Answer

The sinoatrial (SA) node acts as the primary pacemaker, initiating the heartbeat.

Question 7

A patient presents with a heart murmur. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Incomplete closure of a heart valve, resulting in turbulent blood flow.

Question 8

Which of the following equations correctly calculates cardiac output?

Accepted Answer

$$CO = SV 	imes HR$$

Question 9

During vigorous aerobic exercise, which of the following changes would you expect in a healthy adult?

Accepted Answer

Increased stroke volume and increased cardiac output

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why the myocardium cannot be nourished by blood within the heart chambers?

Accepted Answer

The heart wall is too thick for diffusion of nutrients from the chambers.

Question 11

A patient with left ventricular failure is most likely to develop which of the following complications?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary edema due to backup of blood in the pulmonary circuit

Question 12

Which of the following statements about cardiac muscle cells is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

They rely almost exclusively on aerobic respiration for ATP production.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the function of intercalated discs in cardiac muscle?

Accepted Answer

They allow rapid transmission of action potentials between cardiocytes.

Question 14

A patient’s ECG shows absent P waves and a heart rate of 45 bpm. Which is the most likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

The SA node is nonfunctional and the AV node is acting as the pacemaker.

Question 15

Which of the following would most likely increase afterload and decrease stroke volume?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the effect of the sympathetic nervous system on the heart?

Accepted Answer

It increases heart rate and force of contraction.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about the cardiac cycle?

Accepted Answer

Systole refers to contraction and diastole refers to relaxation of the heart chambers.

Question 18

Which of the following is the correct sequence of structures that an action potential travels through in the cardiac conduction system?

Accepted Answer

SA node → AV node → AV bundle → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why cardiac muscle cells are highly fatigue-resistant?

Accepted Answer

They have abundant mitochondria and rely on aerobic metabolism.

Question 20

A 70-year-old patient is found to have a thickened, brittle heart valve and a new heart murmur. Which age-related change is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Thickening and stiffening of valve flaps with age

Anatomy & Physiology: The Cardiovascular System – The Heart (BIO 1, Chapter 17)

Study Guide - Practice Questions