D236 Cardiovascular Disorders (HF, HTN, Shock) Practice Pack 2026
|WGU
1. Which of the following is a hallmark clinical manifestation of left-sided heart
failure?
A. Jugular venous distension
B. Pulmonary crackles
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to backflow into the pulmonary circulation,
causing fluid accumulation in the lungs, manifested as crackles or rales.
2. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism behind primary
(essential) hypertension?
A. Renal artery stenosis
B. Coarctation of the aorta
C. Adrenal tumor secreting aldosterone
D. Increased peripheral vascular resistance
Answer: D
Rationale: Primary hypertension is characterized by an idiopathic increase in systemic
vascular resistance and/or blood volume, unlike secondary causes which have specific
identifiable triggers.
,3. In the compensatory stage of shock, which mechanism helps maintain blood
pressure?
A. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Peripheral vasodilation
D. Inhibition of the RAAS system
Answer: A
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system releases catecholamines to increase heart rate
and induce vasoconstriction to maintain perfusion during early shock.
4. Which type of shock is caused by a massive immune response resulting in
systemic vasodilation?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Anaphylactic shock
D. Obstructive shock
Answer: C
Rationale: Anaphylactic shock is a distributive shock caused by a Type I hypersensitivity
reaction, leading to widespread vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
5. A patient with heart failure has an ejection fraction (EF) of 30%. This is
categorized as:
A. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
B. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)
C. Diastolic heart failure
D. Normal cardiac function
Answer: B
Rationale: HFrEF, or systolic heart failure, is typically defined by an ejection fraction of
40% or less.
, 6. Which hormone is released by the ventricles in response to increased wall
stretch and serves as a marker for heart failure?
A. B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
B. Renin
C. Aldosterone
D. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Answer: A
Rationale: BNP is secreted by the ventricles when they are overstretched, helping to
promote diuresis and vasodilation to reduce workload.
7. What is the most common cause of right-sided heart failure?
A. Aortic stenosis
B. Left-sided heart failure
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Pulmonary hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: While pulmonary disease (cor pulmonale) is a cause, the most frequent cause of
right-sided failure is the increased workload imposed by existing left-sided heart failure.
8. Which type of shock is characterized by a loss of autonomic tone due to spinal
cord injury?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Septic shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Cardiogenic shock
Answer: A
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results from the loss of sympathetic tone, leading to massive
vasodilation and bradycardia, often due to high-level spinal cord injuries.
|WGU
1. Which of the following is a hallmark clinical manifestation of left-sided heart
failure?
A. Jugular venous distension
B. Pulmonary crackles
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to backflow into the pulmonary circulation,
causing fluid accumulation in the lungs, manifested as crackles or rales.
2. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism behind primary
(essential) hypertension?
A. Renal artery stenosis
B. Coarctation of the aorta
C. Adrenal tumor secreting aldosterone
D. Increased peripheral vascular resistance
Answer: D
Rationale: Primary hypertension is characterized by an idiopathic increase in systemic
vascular resistance and/or blood volume, unlike secondary causes which have specific
identifiable triggers.
,3. In the compensatory stage of shock, which mechanism helps maintain blood
pressure?
A. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Peripheral vasodilation
D. Inhibition of the RAAS system
Answer: A
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system releases catecholamines to increase heart rate
and induce vasoconstriction to maintain perfusion during early shock.
4. Which type of shock is caused by a massive immune response resulting in
systemic vasodilation?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Anaphylactic shock
D. Obstructive shock
Answer: C
Rationale: Anaphylactic shock is a distributive shock caused by a Type I hypersensitivity
reaction, leading to widespread vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
5. A patient with heart failure has an ejection fraction (EF) of 30%. This is
categorized as:
A. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
B. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)
C. Diastolic heart failure
D. Normal cardiac function
Answer: B
Rationale: HFrEF, or systolic heart failure, is typically defined by an ejection fraction of
40% or less.
, 6. Which hormone is released by the ventricles in response to increased wall
stretch and serves as a marker for heart failure?
A. B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
B. Renin
C. Aldosterone
D. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Answer: A
Rationale: BNP is secreted by the ventricles when they are overstretched, helping to
promote diuresis and vasodilation to reduce workload.
7. What is the most common cause of right-sided heart failure?
A. Aortic stenosis
B. Left-sided heart failure
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Pulmonary hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: While pulmonary disease (cor pulmonale) is a cause, the most frequent cause of
right-sided failure is the increased workload imposed by existing left-sided heart failure.
8. Which type of shock is characterized by a loss of autonomic tone due to spinal
cord injury?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Septic shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Cardiogenic shock
Answer: A
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results from the loss of sympathetic tone, leading to massive
vasodilation and bradycardia, often due to high-level spinal cord injuries.
