Pathophysiology Exam 2 Practice Test (2026) –
Cardiac, Pulmonary & Shock Comprehensive
Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. Which condition occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s
needs?
A. Hypertension
B. Heart failure
C. Angina
D. Atherosclerosis
Answer: B. Heart failure
Rationale: Heart failure occurs when cardiac output is insufficient to meet metabolic
demands, leading to fluid buildup and poor tissue perfusion.
2. What is the most common cause of myocardial infarction?
A. Valve stenosis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Coronary artery occlusion
D. Cardiomyopathy
Answer: C. Coronary artery occlusion
Rationale: Most myocardial infarctions result from thrombus formation on a ruptured
atherosclerotic plaque blocking coronary blood flow.
3. Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Answer: D. Left ventricle
Rationale: The left ventricle generates the pressure needed to deliver oxygenated blood
throughout the body.
,4. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to develop:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Pulmonary edema
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood backup into pulmonary circulation, leading to
fluid accumulation in the lungs.
5. Which symptom is most characteristic of angina pectoris?
A. Sharp abdominal pain
B. Crushing chest pain with exertion
C. Fever and chills
D. Productive cough
Answer: B. Crushing chest pain with exertion
Rationale: Angina results from transient myocardial ischemia and commonly presents as
pressure-like chest pain during activity.
6. What is the primary pathophysiology of hypertension?
A. Reduced vascular resistance
B. Increased systemic arterial pressure
C. Low cardiac output
D. Excessive oxygen delivery
Answer: B. Increased systemic arterial pressure
Rationale: Hypertension develops when vascular resistance and/or cardiac output remain
chronically elevated.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance most increases the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
, Answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium disrupts cardiac electrical conduction and predisposes patients to
arrhythmias.
8. Atherosclerosis is best described as:
A. Inflammation of the myocardium
B. Hardening and narrowing of arteries
C. Infection of heart valves
D. Enlargement of the ventricles
Answer: B. Hardening and narrowing of arteries
Rationale: Atherosclerosis involves plaque buildup within arterial walls, reducing blood flow.
9. Which finding is commonly associated with right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Cyanosis only
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hemoptysis
Answer: C. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion leading to edema and
jugular venous distention.
10. Cardiac output is calculated as:
A. Stroke volume × heart rate
B. Blood pressure × pulse
C. Heart rate ÷ stroke volume
D. Respiratory rate × pulse
Answer: A. Stroke volume × heart rate
Rationale: Cardiac output represents the amount of blood pumped per minute.
Pulmonary Disorders
11. Which disease is characterized by chronic airflow limitation that is not fully reversible?
A. Asthma
B. COPD
Cardiac, Pulmonary & Shock Comprehensive
Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. Which condition occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s
needs?
A. Hypertension
B. Heart failure
C. Angina
D. Atherosclerosis
Answer: B. Heart failure
Rationale: Heart failure occurs when cardiac output is insufficient to meet metabolic
demands, leading to fluid buildup and poor tissue perfusion.
2. What is the most common cause of myocardial infarction?
A. Valve stenosis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Coronary artery occlusion
D. Cardiomyopathy
Answer: C. Coronary artery occlusion
Rationale: Most myocardial infarctions result from thrombus formation on a ruptured
atherosclerotic plaque blocking coronary blood flow.
3. Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Answer: D. Left ventricle
Rationale: The left ventricle generates the pressure needed to deliver oxygenated blood
throughout the body.
,4. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to develop:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Pulmonary edema
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood backup into pulmonary circulation, leading to
fluid accumulation in the lungs.
5. Which symptom is most characteristic of angina pectoris?
A. Sharp abdominal pain
B. Crushing chest pain with exertion
C. Fever and chills
D. Productive cough
Answer: B. Crushing chest pain with exertion
Rationale: Angina results from transient myocardial ischemia and commonly presents as
pressure-like chest pain during activity.
6. What is the primary pathophysiology of hypertension?
A. Reduced vascular resistance
B. Increased systemic arterial pressure
C. Low cardiac output
D. Excessive oxygen delivery
Answer: B. Increased systemic arterial pressure
Rationale: Hypertension develops when vascular resistance and/or cardiac output remain
chronically elevated.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance most increases the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
, Answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium disrupts cardiac electrical conduction and predisposes patients to
arrhythmias.
8. Atherosclerosis is best described as:
A. Inflammation of the myocardium
B. Hardening and narrowing of arteries
C. Infection of heart valves
D. Enlargement of the ventricles
Answer: B. Hardening and narrowing of arteries
Rationale: Atherosclerosis involves plaque buildup within arterial walls, reducing blood flow.
9. Which finding is commonly associated with right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Cyanosis only
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hemoptysis
Answer: C. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion leading to edema and
jugular venous distention.
10. Cardiac output is calculated as:
A. Stroke volume × heart rate
B. Blood pressure × pulse
C. Heart rate ÷ stroke volume
D. Respiratory rate × pulse
Answer: A. Stroke volume × heart rate
Rationale: Cardiac output represents the amount of blood pumped per minute.
Pulmonary Disorders
11. Which disease is characterized by chronic airflow limitation that is not fully reversible?
A. Asthma
B. COPD
