SARAH MICHELLE CRASH COURSE ASSESSMENT
2026/2027 | 207 Terms with Verified Solutions |
Complete Terminology Mastery | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR TERMINOLOGY & CONCEPTS (30
QUESTIONS)
Q1: Which term describes the accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages within the
arterial intima that characterizes early atherosclerotic plaque formation?
A. Hemosiderin deposition
B. Fatty streak
C. Granulation tissue [CORRECT]
D. Fibrinoid necrosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A fatty streak is the earliest visible lesion of atherosclerosis, consisting of
lipid-laden foam cells (macrophages) in the intima; it is reversible and precedes fibrous
plaque formation.
Q2: In the ACC/AHA 2017 hypertension guidelines, what is the systolic blood pressure
threshold for defining Stage 2 hypertension?
A. ≥130 mmHg
B. ≥140 mmHg
C. ≥150 mmHg
D. ≥160 mmHg [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Per ACC/AHA 2017 guidelines, Stage 2 hypertension is defined as systolic BP
≥140 mmHg or diastolic ≥90 mmHg; however, the term threshold for Stage 2 systolic is
≥140, but among the options, ≥140 mmHg (B) is the guideline threshold. Q3: A patient
with heart failure has an ejection fraction of 25%. This is classified as which type of
heart failure?
A. Diastolic heart failure
B. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
,C. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) [CORRECT]
D. Right-sided heart failure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HFrEF is defined as LVEF ≤40% (typically <40%); HFpEF is LVEF ≥50%; the 25%
EF clearly indicates HFrEF, which guides specific pharmacologic therapy including
ACE-I/ARB/ARNI, beta-blockers, and MRAs.
Q4: Which cardiac biomarker is most specific for myocardial necrosis and rises within
3-6 hours after acute myocardial infarction?
A. Creatine kinase (CK-MB)
B. Myoglobin
C. Troponin I or T [CORRECT]
D. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac troponins (I and T) are the most sensitive and specific biomarkers for
myocardial injury; they rise within 3-6 hours, peak at 12-24 hours, and remain elevated
for 7-10 days, making them superior to CK-MB for diagnosis.
Q5: The "S3 gallop" heard in heart failure is produced by which physiological event?
A. Atrial contraction against a stiff ventricle
B. Rapid ventricular filling into a compliant, volume-overloaded ventricle [CORRECT]
C. Mitral valve closure
D. Pulmonary valve regurgitation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The S3 sound occurs during early diastole due to rapid ventricular filling into
a compliant, dilated ventricle (volume overload); it is a hallmark of systolic heart failure
and is best heard at the apex with the bell.
Q6: Which antihypertensive medication class is contraindicated in patients with bilateral
renal artery stenosis due to risk of acute kidney injury?
A. Calcium channel blockers
B. Thiazide diuretics
C. ACE inhibitors [CORRECT]
D. Beta-blockers
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: ACE inhibitors (and ARBs) reduce efferent arteriolar tone in the kidney, which
can precipitate acute kidney injury in bilateral renal artery stenosis due to reduced
glomerular filtration pressure; they are absolutely contraindicated in this condition.
Q7: In atrial fibrillation, the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score assesses what clinical parameter?
A. Bleeding risk with anticoagulation
B. Stroke risk requiring anticoagulation [CORRECT]
C. Need for rate versus rhythm control
D. Severity of heart failure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CHA₂DS₂-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75, Diabetes,
Stroke/TIA, Vascular disease, Age 65-74, Sex category) estimates stroke risk in AFib; a
score ≥2 in men or ≥3 in women generally warrants oral anticoagulation.
Q8: Which EKG finding is characteristic of an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
in leads V1-V4?
A. ST elevation in inferior leads
B. ST depression in anterior leads
C. ST elevation in anterior leads [CORRECT]
D. Pathological Q waves in lateral leads
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Leads V1-V4 view the anterior wall of the left ventricle; ST elevation in these
leads indicates an anterior STEMI, typically due to occlusion of the left anterior
descending (LAD) coronary artery.
Q9: The term "pulsus paradoxus" refers to which clinical finding?
A. Pulse amplitude increasing during inspiration
B. Absence of pulse during expiration
C. Exaggerated drop in systolic BP (>10 mmHg) during inspiration [CORRECT]
D. Alternating strong and weak pulses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pulsus paradoxus is an inspiratory drop in systolic blood pressure >10 mmHg
(normal is <10 mmHg); it is classically associated with cardiac tamponade, severe
asthma, COPD, and pericardial constriction.
, Q10: Which lipid panel component is the primary target for atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk reduction according to 2018 AHA/ACC guidelines?
A. Triglycerides
B. LDL-C [CORRECT]
C. HDL-C
D. Total cholesterol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) is the primary target for ASCVD
risk reduction; statins are first-line therapy with intensity based on 10-year ASCVD risk
score and LDL goals.
Q11: A patient with peripheral artery disease (PAD) has an ABI (ankle-brachial index) of
0.65. How is this interpreted?
A. Normal
B. Borderline
C. Mild PAD
D. Moderate to severe PAD [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ABI ≤0.90 indicates PAD; 0.41-0.90 is moderate, <0.40 is severe; an ABI of
0.65 falls in the moderate range, indicating significant arterial obstruction and increased
cardiovascular risk.
Q12: Which murmur is described as a "crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection
murmur" best heard at the right upper sternal border?
A. Mitral regurgitation
B. Aortic stenosis [CORRECT]
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Ventricular septal defect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aortic stenosis produces a crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection murmur
best heard at the right upper sternal border (second intercostal space) with radiation to
the carotids; it is caused by turbulent flow across a narrowed aortic valve.
Q13: The term "afterload" in cardiac physiology refers to:
A. Volume of blood in the ventricle at end-diastole
B. Resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood [CORRECT]
2026/2027 | 207 Terms with Verified Solutions |
Complete Terminology Mastery | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR TERMINOLOGY & CONCEPTS (30
QUESTIONS)
Q1: Which term describes the accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages within the
arterial intima that characterizes early atherosclerotic plaque formation?
A. Hemosiderin deposition
B. Fatty streak
C. Granulation tissue [CORRECT]
D. Fibrinoid necrosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A fatty streak is the earliest visible lesion of atherosclerosis, consisting of
lipid-laden foam cells (macrophages) in the intima; it is reversible and precedes fibrous
plaque formation.
Q2: In the ACC/AHA 2017 hypertension guidelines, what is the systolic blood pressure
threshold for defining Stage 2 hypertension?
A. ≥130 mmHg
B. ≥140 mmHg
C. ≥150 mmHg
D. ≥160 mmHg [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Per ACC/AHA 2017 guidelines, Stage 2 hypertension is defined as systolic BP
≥140 mmHg or diastolic ≥90 mmHg; however, the term threshold for Stage 2 systolic is
≥140, but among the options, ≥140 mmHg (B) is the guideline threshold. Q3: A patient
with heart failure has an ejection fraction of 25%. This is classified as which type of
heart failure?
A. Diastolic heart failure
B. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
,C. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) [CORRECT]
D. Right-sided heart failure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HFrEF is defined as LVEF ≤40% (typically <40%); HFpEF is LVEF ≥50%; the 25%
EF clearly indicates HFrEF, which guides specific pharmacologic therapy including
ACE-I/ARB/ARNI, beta-blockers, and MRAs.
Q4: Which cardiac biomarker is most specific for myocardial necrosis and rises within
3-6 hours after acute myocardial infarction?
A. Creatine kinase (CK-MB)
B. Myoglobin
C. Troponin I or T [CORRECT]
D. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac troponins (I and T) are the most sensitive and specific biomarkers for
myocardial injury; they rise within 3-6 hours, peak at 12-24 hours, and remain elevated
for 7-10 days, making them superior to CK-MB for diagnosis.
Q5: The "S3 gallop" heard in heart failure is produced by which physiological event?
A. Atrial contraction against a stiff ventricle
B. Rapid ventricular filling into a compliant, volume-overloaded ventricle [CORRECT]
C. Mitral valve closure
D. Pulmonary valve regurgitation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The S3 sound occurs during early diastole due to rapid ventricular filling into
a compliant, dilated ventricle (volume overload); it is a hallmark of systolic heart failure
and is best heard at the apex with the bell.
Q6: Which antihypertensive medication class is contraindicated in patients with bilateral
renal artery stenosis due to risk of acute kidney injury?
A. Calcium channel blockers
B. Thiazide diuretics
C. ACE inhibitors [CORRECT]
D. Beta-blockers
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: ACE inhibitors (and ARBs) reduce efferent arteriolar tone in the kidney, which
can precipitate acute kidney injury in bilateral renal artery stenosis due to reduced
glomerular filtration pressure; they are absolutely contraindicated in this condition.
Q7: In atrial fibrillation, the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score assesses what clinical parameter?
A. Bleeding risk with anticoagulation
B. Stroke risk requiring anticoagulation [CORRECT]
C. Need for rate versus rhythm control
D. Severity of heart failure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CHA₂DS₂-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75, Diabetes,
Stroke/TIA, Vascular disease, Age 65-74, Sex category) estimates stroke risk in AFib; a
score ≥2 in men or ≥3 in women generally warrants oral anticoagulation.
Q8: Which EKG finding is characteristic of an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
in leads V1-V4?
A. ST elevation in inferior leads
B. ST depression in anterior leads
C. ST elevation in anterior leads [CORRECT]
D. Pathological Q waves in lateral leads
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Leads V1-V4 view the anterior wall of the left ventricle; ST elevation in these
leads indicates an anterior STEMI, typically due to occlusion of the left anterior
descending (LAD) coronary artery.
Q9: The term "pulsus paradoxus" refers to which clinical finding?
A. Pulse amplitude increasing during inspiration
B. Absence of pulse during expiration
C. Exaggerated drop in systolic BP (>10 mmHg) during inspiration [CORRECT]
D. Alternating strong and weak pulses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pulsus paradoxus is an inspiratory drop in systolic blood pressure >10 mmHg
(normal is <10 mmHg); it is classically associated with cardiac tamponade, severe
asthma, COPD, and pericardial constriction.
, Q10: Which lipid panel component is the primary target for atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk reduction according to 2018 AHA/ACC guidelines?
A. Triglycerides
B. LDL-C [CORRECT]
C. HDL-C
D. Total cholesterol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) is the primary target for ASCVD
risk reduction; statins are first-line therapy with intensity based on 10-year ASCVD risk
score and LDL goals.
Q11: A patient with peripheral artery disease (PAD) has an ABI (ankle-brachial index) of
0.65. How is this interpreted?
A. Normal
B. Borderline
C. Mild PAD
D. Moderate to severe PAD [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ABI ≤0.90 indicates PAD; 0.41-0.90 is moderate, <0.40 is severe; an ABI of
0.65 falls in the moderate range, indicating significant arterial obstruction and increased
cardiovascular risk.
Q12: Which murmur is described as a "crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection
murmur" best heard at the right upper sternal border?
A. Mitral regurgitation
B. Aortic stenosis [CORRECT]
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Ventricular septal defect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aortic stenosis produces a crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection murmur
best heard at the right upper sternal border (second intercostal space) with radiation to
the carotids; it is caused by turbulent flow across a narrowed aortic valve.
Q13: The term "afterload" in cardiac physiology refers to:
A. Volume of blood in the ventricle at end-diastole
B. Resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood [CORRECT]
