Cardiovascular Assessment and Pharmacology Examination: Cardiac Output,
Stroke Volume, Heart Rate Regulation, Autonomic Nervous System, Preload,
Afterload, Contractility, Electrocardiogram Interpretation, Sinus Rhythm,
Bradycardia, Tachycardia, Premature Atrial and Ventricular Contractions,
Supraventricular Tachycardia, Atrial Flutter, Atrial Fibrillation, AV Block,
Ventricular Tachycardia, Torsades de Pointes, Ventricular Fibrillation, Asystole,
Pulseless Electrical Activity, Defibrillation, Synchronized Cardioversion,
Pacemaker Function, Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator, Myocardial
Infarction Classification, Angina Types, Coronary Artery Disease, Acute Coronary
Syndrome, Heart Failure Pathophysiology, Ejection Fraction, Diastolic and
Systolic Dysfunction Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What is cardiac output?
Amount of blood pumped by each ventricle in one minute
SV x HR = CO
(Normal 4 to 8 L/min)
What is stroke volume?
The amount of blood ejected from the L ventricle with each heartbeat
What is the difference between stroke volume and cardiac output?
Stroke volume measures blood ejected per heartbeat, and cardiac output measures blood ejected per
minute.
,What is heart rate controlled by?
ANS
What is stroke volume affected by?
Preload, contractility, afterload
What is preload?
Volume of blood stretching the ventricles at end of diastole.
How can nurses increase preload?
Increasing fluid administration, which increases cardiac output.
How can contractility be increased?
Epinephrine and norepinephrine from SNS.
What is afterload?
Peripheral resistance against which left ventricle must pump.
Automaticity
Ability to create an impulse outside of stimulation (automatically does it spontaneously & continuously).
,Excitability
Ability to be electrically stimulated.
Conductivity
Ability to pass the impulse along to other cells.
Contractility
Ability to respond mechanically to an impulse (contraction).
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls...
Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)
Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
TERM
P Wave
DEFINITION
Atrial depolarization
LOCATION
Image: P Wave
TERM
QRS Wave
DEFINITION
, Ventricular depolarization
(and atrial repolarization)
LOCATION
Image: QRS Wave
TERM
T Wave
DEFINITION
Ventricular repolarization
LOCATION
Image: T Wave
How does an electrocardiogram work?
Waveforms of ECG represent the electrical activity produced by the movement of charged ions across
membranes of heart cells
TERM
U Wave
DEFINITION
A small wave representing repolarization of Purkinje fibers. May not be visible.
LOCATION
Image: U Wave
Applying a cardiac monitor can usually be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel.
Stroke Volume, Heart Rate Regulation, Autonomic Nervous System, Preload,
Afterload, Contractility, Electrocardiogram Interpretation, Sinus Rhythm,
Bradycardia, Tachycardia, Premature Atrial and Ventricular Contractions,
Supraventricular Tachycardia, Atrial Flutter, Atrial Fibrillation, AV Block,
Ventricular Tachycardia, Torsades de Pointes, Ventricular Fibrillation, Asystole,
Pulseless Electrical Activity, Defibrillation, Synchronized Cardioversion,
Pacemaker Function, Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator, Myocardial
Infarction Classification, Angina Types, Coronary Artery Disease, Acute Coronary
Syndrome, Heart Failure Pathophysiology, Ejection Fraction, Diastolic and
Systolic Dysfunction Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What is cardiac output?
Amount of blood pumped by each ventricle in one minute
SV x HR = CO
(Normal 4 to 8 L/min)
What is stroke volume?
The amount of blood ejected from the L ventricle with each heartbeat
What is the difference between stroke volume and cardiac output?
Stroke volume measures blood ejected per heartbeat, and cardiac output measures blood ejected per
minute.
,What is heart rate controlled by?
ANS
What is stroke volume affected by?
Preload, contractility, afterload
What is preload?
Volume of blood stretching the ventricles at end of diastole.
How can nurses increase preload?
Increasing fluid administration, which increases cardiac output.
How can contractility be increased?
Epinephrine and norepinephrine from SNS.
What is afterload?
Peripheral resistance against which left ventricle must pump.
Automaticity
Ability to create an impulse outside of stimulation (automatically does it spontaneously & continuously).
,Excitability
Ability to be electrically stimulated.
Conductivity
Ability to pass the impulse along to other cells.
Contractility
Ability to respond mechanically to an impulse (contraction).
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls...
Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)
Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
TERM
P Wave
DEFINITION
Atrial depolarization
LOCATION
Image: P Wave
TERM
QRS Wave
DEFINITION
, Ventricular depolarization
(and atrial repolarization)
LOCATION
Image: QRS Wave
TERM
T Wave
DEFINITION
Ventricular repolarization
LOCATION
Image: T Wave
How does an electrocardiogram work?
Waveforms of ECG represent the electrical activity produced by the movement of charged ions across
membranes of heart cells
TERM
U Wave
DEFINITION
A small wave representing repolarization of Purkinje fibers. May not be visible.
LOCATION
Image: U Wave
Applying a cardiac monitor can usually be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel.
