Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

It decreases sodium retention in the kidneys, lowering blood pressure.

Question 2

A patient presents with a heart murmur due to a stenotic aortic valve. Which of the following best explains the physiological consequence of this condition?

Accepted Answer

The left ventricle must generate higher pressure to eject blood into the aorta.

Question 3

Which of the following equations correctly calculates cardiac output (CO)?

Accepted Answer

$$CO = HR 	imes SV$$

Question 4

During the cardiac cycle, which event immediately follows the closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves?

Accepted Answer

Isovolumetric contraction phase

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary edema due to pulmonary congestion

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the plateau phase in the action potential of a cardiac contractile cell?

Accepted Answer

It is due to the simultaneous influx of calcium ions and efflux of potassium ions.

Question 7

Which structure is the normal pacemaker of the heart, and what is its typical intrinsic rate of depolarization?

Accepted Answer

Sinoatrial (SA) node; 60–70 or more times per minute

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

It pumps blood against higher resistance in the systemic circuit.

Question 9

A patient is diagnosed with cardiac tamponade. Which of the following best describes the immediate effect on cardiac function?

Accepted Answer

Reduced ventricular filling due to external pressure on the heart

Question 10

Which of the following is a direct effect of sympathetic nervous system activation on the heart?

Accepted Answer

Increased heart rate and contractility

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 the correct formula for calculating stroke volume (SV)?

Accepted Answer

$$SV = EDV - ESV$$

Question 13

A patient with a heart block at the AV node would most likely show which of the following changes on an ECG?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged P-R interval and/or extra P waves

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why ventricular fibrillation is immediately life-threatening?

Accepted Answer

It results in the loss of effective ventricular contraction and cardiac output.

Question 15

Which of the following is a likely consequence of long-standing high afterload on the left ventricle?

Accepted Answer

Left ventricular hypertrophy

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

It provides structural support and insulates the heart’s electrical activity.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the effect of a positive inotropic agent on the heart?

Accepted Answer

It increases the force of contraction of the heart.

Question 18

Which of the following is true regarding the coronary circulation?

Accepted Answer

The left anterior descending artery supplies the interventricular septum and anterior left ventricle.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why the heart cannot enter a state of tetany (sustained contraction)?

Accepted Answer

The plateau phase of the cardiac action potential lengthens the refractory period.

Question 20

A patient with a mutation that causes nonfunctional gap junctions in cardiac muscle cells would most likely experience which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Impaired spread of action potentials, leading to arrhythmias

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

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