NR507 Advanced
Pathophysiology Week 2 –
Cardiac Functions and CAD
Multiple Choice Questions
and Correct Answers Review/
NR 507 Week 2 Practice Test.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most
common type of heart disease and the
leading cause of mortality in the United
States. Its primary pathophysiologic
mechanism is:
A) Inflammation of the pericardium leading
to cardiac tamponade
B) Atherosclerosis obstructing the supply of
oxygenated blood to the heart
C) Degenerative changes in the cardiac
valves causing regurgitation
D) A primary electrical conduction
disturbance in the AV node
Correct Answer: B) Atherosclerosis
obstructing the supply of oxygenated blood
to the heart
,Rationale: CAD is caused by atherosclerosis,
a condition in which arteries harden and
become stiff due to the buildup of
cholesterol within the tunica intima. This
obstructs the supply of oxygenated blood,
altering myocardial cell metabolism and
nutrient uptake, and can lead to myocardial
ischemia or infarction .
Atherosclerosis begins with injury to which
layer of the blood vessel?
A) Tunica externa
B) Tunica media
C) Tunica intima
D) Vasa vasorum
Correct Answer: C) Tunica intima
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is a condition in
which arteries harden and become stiff due
to the buildup of cholesterol within the
tunica intima, the innermost layer of the
artery wall .
,The progression of atherosclerosis is
measured by:
A) Body mass index (BMI)
B) Percent atheroma volume (PAV)
C) Complete blood count (CBC)
D) Serum albumin level
Correct Answer: B) Percent atheroma
volume (PAV)
Rationale: The progression of
atherosclerosis is measured by percent
atheroma volume (PAV). An artery becomes
atherosclerotic when the plaque takes up
20-40% of the arterial space .
Which of the following is considered a
modifiable risk factor for CAD?
A) Age
B) Family history
C) Genetics
D) High lipid levels
Correct Answer: D) High lipid levels
Rationale: Modifiable risk factors are
preventable conditions that can be changed
and include high lipid levels, a sedentary
, lifestyle, obesity, smoking, and
hypertension. Nonmodifiable risk factors
include age, family history, genetics, and
menopause .
The 47% of Americans who have at least
one of three risk factors for heart disease
are affected by high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, and:
A) Diabetes
B) Smoking
C) Obesity
D) Sedentary lifestyle
Correct Answer: B) Smoking
Rationale: The CDC reports that 47% of
Americans have at least one of three risk
factors for heart disease: high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking .
A patient with familial hypercholesterolemia
(FH) has an LDL-cholesterol level over:
A) 100 mg/dL
B) 130 mg/dL
Pathophysiology Week 2 –
Cardiac Functions and CAD
Multiple Choice Questions
and Correct Answers Review/
NR 507 Week 2 Practice Test.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most
common type of heart disease and the
leading cause of mortality in the United
States. Its primary pathophysiologic
mechanism is:
A) Inflammation of the pericardium leading
to cardiac tamponade
B) Atherosclerosis obstructing the supply of
oxygenated blood to the heart
C) Degenerative changes in the cardiac
valves causing regurgitation
D) A primary electrical conduction
disturbance in the AV node
Correct Answer: B) Atherosclerosis
obstructing the supply of oxygenated blood
to the heart
,Rationale: CAD is caused by atherosclerosis,
a condition in which arteries harden and
become stiff due to the buildup of
cholesterol within the tunica intima. This
obstructs the supply of oxygenated blood,
altering myocardial cell metabolism and
nutrient uptake, and can lead to myocardial
ischemia or infarction .
Atherosclerosis begins with injury to which
layer of the blood vessel?
A) Tunica externa
B) Tunica media
C) Tunica intima
D) Vasa vasorum
Correct Answer: C) Tunica intima
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is a condition in
which arteries harden and become stiff due
to the buildup of cholesterol within the
tunica intima, the innermost layer of the
artery wall .
,The progression of atherosclerosis is
measured by:
A) Body mass index (BMI)
B) Percent atheroma volume (PAV)
C) Complete blood count (CBC)
D) Serum albumin level
Correct Answer: B) Percent atheroma
volume (PAV)
Rationale: The progression of
atherosclerosis is measured by percent
atheroma volume (PAV). An artery becomes
atherosclerotic when the plaque takes up
20-40% of the arterial space .
Which of the following is considered a
modifiable risk factor for CAD?
A) Age
B) Family history
C) Genetics
D) High lipid levels
Correct Answer: D) High lipid levels
Rationale: Modifiable risk factors are
preventable conditions that can be changed
and include high lipid levels, a sedentary
, lifestyle, obesity, smoking, and
hypertension. Nonmodifiable risk factors
include age, family history, genetics, and
menopause .
The 47% of Americans who have at least
one of three risk factors for heart disease
are affected by high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, and:
A) Diabetes
B) Smoking
C) Obesity
D) Sedentary lifestyle
Correct Answer: B) Smoking
Rationale: The CDC reports that 47% of
Americans have at least one of three risk
factors for heart disease: high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking .
A patient with familial hypercholesterolemia
(FH) has an LDL-cholesterol level over:
A) 100 mg/dL
B) 130 mg/dL
