BIOD 331 Module 7 Exam Portage Learning Questions and
Answers 2026
Module 7 (Cardiovascular System - Disorders of Blood Pressure and Heart Failure
1. Which of the following is the primary "long-term" regulator of blood pressure?
A) Baroreceptors
B) The Kidneys (via fluid volume control)
C) Epinephrine
D) The Lungs
Answer: B
Rationale: While the nervous system acts in seconds, the kidneys regulate BP over
days/weeks by adjusting sodium and water excretion.
2. "Primary (Essential) Hypertension" is defined as high blood pressure that:
A) Has a specific, identifiable cause (like a tumor).
B) Occurs without an identifiable secondary cause.
C) Only happens in children.
D) Is caused by pregnancy.
Answer: B
Rationale: 90–95% of hypertension cases are "Primary," influenced by genetics, diet,
and lifestyle.
3. Which enzyme converts Angiotensin I to the potent vasoconstrictor
Angiotensin II?
A) Renin
B) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE)
C) Aldosterone
D) Insulin
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE is found primarily in the lungs and is the target of "ACE Inhibitor"
medications.
4. "Orthostatic Hypotension" is a drop in blood pressure that occurs when:
A) A person lies down.
B) A person stands up from a sitting or lying position.
C) A person exercises.
D) A person sleeps.
,Answer: B
Rationale: It is often caused by dehydration, aging, or medications that impair the
baroreceptor reflex.
5. Which "Side" of the heart is failing if the patient has pulmonary edema (fluid in
the lungs)?
A) Right Side
B) Left Side
C) Both sides equally
D) Only the atria
Answer: B
Rationale: If the left ventricle cannot pump forward, blood backs up into the left atrium
and then the pulmonary veins/lungs.
6. "Right-Sided Heart Failure" typically results in:
A) Shortness of breath.
B) Peripheral edema (swelling in legs) and jugular venous distention (JVD).
C) Dry cough.
D) High fever.
Answer: B
Rationale: Blood backs up into the systemic circulation (the body), causing congestion
in the liver and extremities.
7. "Ejection Fraction" (EF) is a measure of:
A) The total volume of blood in the heart.
B) The percentage of blood ejected from the ventricle with each contraction.
C) Heart rate.
D) Blood thickness.
Answer: B
Rationale: A normal EF is 55–70%. An EF below 40% indicates heart failure.
8. The "Frank-Starling Law" states that:
A) The heart stops if stretched too much.
B) The more the heart is stretched (preload), the more forcefully it will contract (up to a
point).
C) Blood pressure is always constant.
D) The heart only beats when the brain tells it to.
Answer: B
Rationale: This is a compensatory mechanism to increase cardiac output.
, 9. "Aldosterone" increases blood pressure by causing the kidneys to:
A) Excrete sodium.
B) Retain sodium and water.
C) Excrete potassium.
D) B and C.
Answer: D
Rationale: Aldosterone saves "salt and water" while losing "potassium."
10. Which "Baroreceptors" sense changes in blood pressure and send signals to
the brain?
A) In the skin.
B) In the carotid sinus and aortic arch.
C) In the stomach.
D) In the feet.
Answer: B
Rationale: These stretch receptors provide rapid, second-to-second BP regulation.
11. "Secondary Hypertension" can be caused by:
A) Renal artery stenosis (narrowing).
B) Pheochromocytoma (adrenal tumor).
C) Sleep apnea.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D
Rationale: Secondary hypertension has a specific, treatable underlying cause.
12. "Left Ventricular Hypertrophy" is a common complication of chronic:
A) Low blood pressure.
B) Hypertension (high afterload).
C) Anemia.
D) Vitamin D deficiency.
Answer: B
Rationale: The heart muscle thickens as it works harder to pump against high systemic
pressure.
13. "BNP" (B-type Natriuretic Peptide) is a blood test used to diagnose:
A) Heart attack.
B) Heart Failure.
C) Diabetes.
D) Leukemia.
Answer: B
Answers 2026
Module 7 (Cardiovascular System - Disorders of Blood Pressure and Heart Failure
1. Which of the following is the primary "long-term" regulator of blood pressure?
A) Baroreceptors
B) The Kidneys (via fluid volume control)
C) Epinephrine
D) The Lungs
Answer: B
Rationale: While the nervous system acts in seconds, the kidneys regulate BP over
days/weeks by adjusting sodium and water excretion.
2. "Primary (Essential) Hypertension" is defined as high blood pressure that:
A) Has a specific, identifiable cause (like a tumor).
B) Occurs without an identifiable secondary cause.
C) Only happens in children.
D) Is caused by pregnancy.
Answer: B
Rationale: 90–95% of hypertension cases are "Primary," influenced by genetics, diet,
and lifestyle.
3. Which enzyme converts Angiotensin I to the potent vasoconstrictor
Angiotensin II?
A) Renin
B) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE)
C) Aldosterone
D) Insulin
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE is found primarily in the lungs and is the target of "ACE Inhibitor"
medications.
4. "Orthostatic Hypotension" is a drop in blood pressure that occurs when:
A) A person lies down.
B) A person stands up from a sitting or lying position.
C) A person exercises.
D) A person sleeps.
,Answer: B
Rationale: It is often caused by dehydration, aging, or medications that impair the
baroreceptor reflex.
5. Which "Side" of the heart is failing if the patient has pulmonary edema (fluid in
the lungs)?
A) Right Side
B) Left Side
C) Both sides equally
D) Only the atria
Answer: B
Rationale: If the left ventricle cannot pump forward, blood backs up into the left atrium
and then the pulmonary veins/lungs.
6. "Right-Sided Heart Failure" typically results in:
A) Shortness of breath.
B) Peripheral edema (swelling in legs) and jugular venous distention (JVD).
C) Dry cough.
D) High fever.
Answer: B
Rationale: Blood backs up into the systemic circulation (the body), causing congestion
in the liver and extremities.
7. "Ejection Fraction" (EF) is a measure of:
A) The total volume of blood in the heart.
B) The percentage of blood ejected from the ventricle with each contraction.
C) Heart rate.
D) Blood thickness.
Answer: B
Rationale: A normal EF is 55–70%. An EF below 40% indicates heart failure.
8. The "Frank-Starling Law" states that:
A) The heart stops if stretched too much.
B) The more the heart is stretched (preload), the more forcefully it will contract (up to a
point).
C) Blood pressure is always constant.
D) The heart only beats when the brain tells it to.
Answer: B
Rationale: This is a compensatory mechanism to increase cardiac output.
, 9. "Aldosterone" increases blood pressure by causing the kidneys to:
A) Excrete sodium.
B) Retain sodium and water.
C) Excrete potassium.
D) B and C.
Answer: D
Rationale: Aldosterone saves "salt and water" while losing "potassium."
10. Which "Baroreceptors" sense changes in blood pressure and send signals to
the brain?
A) In the skin.
B) In the carotid sinus and aortic arch.
C) In the stomach.
D) In the feet.
Answer: B
Rationale: These stretch receptors provide rapid, second-to-second BP regulation.
11. "Secondary Hypertension" can be caused by:
A) Renal artery stenosis (narrowing).
B) Pheochromocytoma (adrenal tumor).
C) Sleep apnea.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D
Rationale: Secondary hypertension has a specific, treatable underlying cause.
12. "Left Ventricular Hypertrophy" is a common complication of chronic:
A) Low blood pressure.
B) Hypertension (high afterload).
C) Anemia.
D) Vitamin D deficiency.
Answer: B
Rationale: The heart muscle thickens as it works harder to pump against high systemic
pressure.
13. "BNP" (B-type Natriuretic Peptide) is a blood test used to diagnose:
A) Heart attack.
B) Heart Failure.
C) Diabetes.
D) Leukemia.
Answer: B
