Q: If a patient has a heart rate of 75 beats per minute and a stroke volume of 70 mL, what is their cardiac output?

$$CO = 75 \times 70 = 5250\,mL/min$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the function of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) produced by the heart?

Accepted Answer

Decreases sodium retention in the kidneys, lowering blood pressure

Question 2

During the cardiac cycle, which event occurs immediately after the ventricular filling phase?

Accepted Answer

Isovolumetric contraction phase

Question 3

A patient presents with a heart murmur and fatigue. Which of the following is most likely the cause if the murmur is due to a valve that fails to close fully?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient valve

Question 4

Which equation correctly calculates cardiac output (CO)?

Accepted Answer

$$CO = HR 	imes SV$$

Question 5

Which structure is responsible for preventing backflow of blood from the ventricles into the atria during ventricular contraction?

Accepted Answer

Atrioventricular valves

Question 6

A patient with left ventricular hypertrophy is most likely to have which underlying condition?

Accepted Answer

High blood pressure in the systemic circuit

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why the left ventricle has thicker walls than the right ventricle?

Accepted Answer

It pumps blood against greater resistance in the systemic circuit

Question 8

Which phase of the contractile cell action potential is responsible for preventing tetany in the heart?

Accepted Answer

Plateau phase

Question 9

If a patient has a heart rate of 75 beats per minute and a stroke volume of 70 mL, what is their cardiac output?

Accepted Answer

$$CO = 75 	imes 70 = 5250\,mL/min$$

Question 10

Which of the following is a positive chronotropic agent?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic nervous system stimulation

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the Frank-Starling law of the heart?

Accepted Answer

The more the ventricular muscle cells are stretched, the more forcefully they contract

Question 12

Which of the following is true regarding the electrical activity of the heart as seen on an ECG?

Accepted Answer

The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization

Question 13

A patient with myocardial infarction is most likely to experience which of the following symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Radiating chest pain to the left arm or neck

Question 14

Which of the following is the correct formula for stroke volume (SV)?

Accepted Answer

$$SV = EDV - ESV$$

Question 15

Which of the following is a consequence of increased afterload on the heart?

Accepted Answer

Decreased stroke volume

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the function of the fibrous skeleton of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Provides structural support and acts as an electrical insulator

Question 17

Which of the following is true about the coronary circulation?

Accepted Answer

Coronary veins drain deoxygenated blood from the myocardium

Question 18

Which of the following would most likely result in cardiac tamponade?

Accepted Answer

Excess fluid accumulation in the pericardial cavity

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the effect of the plateau phase in cardiac contractile cells?

Accepted Answer

Lengthens the action potential duration and prevents tetany

The Cardiovascular System: The Heart – Structure, Function, and Physiology

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