Question 1

Which of the following best describes the function of the heart in the cardiovascular system?

Accepted Answer

It pumps blood throughout the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients.

Question 2

In the pulmonary circuit, which vessel type carries blood away from the heart to the lungs?

Accepted Answer

Arteries

Question 3

Which statement correctly compares the pulmonary and systemic circuits?

Accepted Answer

The systemic circuit delivers oxygenated blood to the body, while the pulmonary circuit delivers deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Question 4

Which layer of the heart wall is responsible for the contractile force that pumps blood?

Accepted Answer

Myocardium

Question 5

Blood returning from the systemic circuit enters the heart through which chamber?

Accepted Answer

Right atrium

Question 6

Which valve prevents backflow of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium?

Accepted Answer

Tricuspid valve

Question 7

During ventricular systole, which event occurs first?

Accepted Answer

Closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves

Question 8

Which equation correctly calculates cardiac output ($CO$)?

Accepted Answer

$CO = HR 	imes SV$

Question 9

A patient has a heart rate of 90 beats/min and a stroke volume of 60 mL/beat. What is their cardiac output?

Accepted Answer

$5400\ \mathrm{mL/min}$

Question 10

Which of the following would most likely increase preload in the heart?

Accepted Answer

Increased venous return due to muscle pump activity

Question 11

According to the Frank-Starling principle, what happens when end-diastolic volume (EDV) increases?

Accepted Answer

Stroke volume increases

Question 12

Which of the following is a positive inotropic agent that increases contractility?

Accepted Answer

Isoproterenol

Question 13

If afterload increases, what is the expected effect on stroke volume?

Accepted Answer

Stroke volume decreases

Question 14

Which part of the cardiac conduction system is considered the pacemaker of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Sinoatrial (SA) node

Question 15

What is the primary reason cardiac muscle cannot undergo tetanic contractions?

Accepted Answer

It has a long absolute refractory period

Question 16

Which of the following best explains the role of calcium in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling?

Accepted Answer

Calcium entry triggers further calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Question 17

During exercise, which of the following changes contributes to increased cardiac output?

Accepted Answer

Increased heart rate and stroke volume

Question 18

Which of the following is a common compensatory response to heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Activation of the renin-angiotensin system to increase blood volume

Question 19

A patient with heart failure has an ejection fraction of 40%. Which type of dysfunction is most likely present?

Accepted Answer

Systolic dysfunction

Question 20

Which of the following treatments for heart failure is designed to reduce afterload?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors

Chapter 17: The Heart – Structure, Function, and Organization of the Cardiovascular System

Study Guide - Practice Questions