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APEA Pathophysiology STUDY GUIDE EXAM
LATEST UPDATE 2026-2027 QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
Question: Which of the following types of angina involves nocturnal symptoms?
Classic angina
Stable angina
Prinzmetal's angina
Unstable angina - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Unstable angina
Causes symptoms at rest & at night
Question: Whish congenital heart defect is known to cause cyanotic crying episodes
precipitated by crying, feeding, or other activities?
Atrial septal defect
Ventricular septal defect
Patent ductus arteriosus
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Tetralogy of Fallot - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Tetralogy of Fallot
Question: Which of the following statements accurately describes a premature ventricular
contraction (PVC)?
It is caused by a ventricular ectopic pacemaker
It is caused by failure of the AV node to fire
It is caused by bifurcation of the bundle of HIs
It is caused by prolongation of the QT interval - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔It is caused by a
ventricular ectopic pacemaker
Question: Which of the following is secreted by ventricular myocytes and assists in the
diagnosis of heart failure?
Atrial natriuretic peptide
Brain natriuretic peptide
Endothelin
Nitric oxide - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Brain natriuretic peptide
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important biomarker with an established role in the diagnosis of heart failure and in predicting
long-term morbidity and mortality
q:A common cause of diastolic heart failure is:
myocarditis
myocardial infarction
dilated cardiomyopathy
hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Hypertension
long-term hypertension is a common cause of diastolic heart failure.
Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the filling of one or both ventricles is impaired because the
ventricle has become less compliant.
The heart must pump more forcefully in order to push blood into circulation against increased
vascular resistance.
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Question: Which type of angina results from coronary artery vasospasm and occurs in atypical
patterns?
Classic angina
Prinzmetal's angina
Unstable angina
Pleuritic chest pain - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Prinzmetal's angina
Results from coronary artery vasospasm and occurs in an atypical pattern. It is usually at a single
site. It can occur in a normal or disease vessel. Pain is usually resolved with angina medication.
Classic (stable angina) occurs when the heart is stressed, lasts less than 5 minutes, and usually
resolves with rest.
Unstable angina is considered a medical emergency because it lasts longer than 5 minutes, does
not follow the normal pain pattern, and may not resolve with rest or angina medication. It is
often associated or signals a MI.
Question: A patient who is in cardiogenic shock will present with:
a high cardiac index
decreased vascular resistance
APEA Pathophysiology STUDY GUIDE EXAM
LATEST UPDATE 2026-2027 QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
Question: Which of the following types of angina involves nocturnal symptoms?
Classic angina
Stable angina
Prinzmetal's angina
Unstable angina - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Unstable angina
Causes symptoms at rest & at night
Question: Whish congenital heart defect is known to cause cyanotic crying episodes
precipitated by crying, feeding, or other activities?
Atrial septal defect
Ventricular septal defect
Patent ductus arteriosus
, Page 2 of 202
Tetralogy of Fallot - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Tetralogy of Fallot
Question: Which of the following statements accurately describes a premature ventricular
contraction (PVC)?
It is caused by a ventricular ectopic pacemaker
It is caused by failure of the AV node to fire
It is caused by bifurcation of the bundle of HIs
It is caused by prolongation of the QT interval - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔It is caused by a
ventricular ectopic pacemaker
Question: Which of the following is secreted by ventricular myocytes and assists in the
diagnosis of heart failure?
Atrial natriuretic peptide
Brain natriuretic peptide
Endothelin
Nitric oxide - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Brain natriuretic peptide
, Page 3 of 202
important biomarker with an established role in the diagnosis of heart failure and in predicting
long-term morbidity and mortality
q:A common cause of diastolic heart failure is:
myocarditis
myocardial infarction
dilated cardiomyopathy
hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Hypertension
long-term hypertension is a common cause of diastolic heart failure.
Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the filling of one or both ventricles is impaired because the
ventricle has become less compliant.
The heart must pump more forcefully in order to push blood into circulation against increased
vascular resistance.
, Page 4 of 202
Question: Which type of angina results from coronary artery vasospasm and occurs in atypical
patterns?
Classic angina
Prinzmetal's angina
Unstable angina
Pleuritic chest pain - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔Prinzmetal's angina
Results from coronary artery vasospasm and occurs in an atypical pattern. It is usually at a single
site. It can occur in a normal or disease vessel. Pain is usually resolved with angina medication.
Classic (stable angina) occurs when the heart is stressed, lasts less than 5 minutes, and usually
resolves with rest.
Unstable angina is considered a medical emergency because it lasts longer than 5 minutes, does
not follow the normal pain pattern, and may not resolve with rest or angina medication. It is
often associated or signals a MI.
Question: A patient who is in cardiogenic shock will present with:
a high cardiac index
decreased vascular resistance
