Cardiac Pathophysiology Exam 2024-2025
All Questions from Actual Exam and 100%
Correct Answers
The pathophysiology of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) can be described through three
processes, known as Virchow's triad. Which of the following is not a component of Virchow's
Triad?
a. venous stasis
b. LDL accumulation
c. hypercoagulable state
d. endothelial injury --------- Correct Answer ------------ B
1. A patient had a motor vehicle crash and suffered critical injuries to the brainstem. What
physiological responses would the healthcare professional expect to see?
a. Prolonged QRS segment
b. Shortened PR interval
c. Pulse and blood pressure changes
d. Fluid overload ------------- Correct Answer ----------- ANS: C
The major cardiovascular control center is in the brainstem in the medulla with secondary areas
in the hypothalamus, the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the complex networks of exciting or
inhibiting interneurons (connecting neurons) throughout the brain. The brainstem specifically
controls blood pressure and pulse, so a severe injury to this area would manifest with changes in
blood pressure and pulse. Changes on the ECG and fluid overload would not occur due to this
injury.
1. What is an expected change in the cardiovascular system that occurs with aging?
a. Arterial stiffening
b. Decreased left ventricular wall tension
c. Decreased aortic wall thickness
d. Arteriosclerosis ------------- Correct Answer ----------- ANS: A
Arterial stiffening occurs with aging even in the absence of clinical hypertension. Aging is not
responsible for the other conditions.
1. What is the major determinant of the resistance that blood encounters as it flows through the
systemic circulation?
a. Volume of blood in the systemic circulation
b. Muscle layer of the metarterioles
c. Muscle layer of the arterioles
d. Force of ventricular contraction ------------- Correct Answer ----------- ANS: C
The muscle layer of the arterioles constricts or dilates depending on the stimulation it receives.
The change in the diameter of the vessels determines the resistance to blood flow. Blood
,viscosity usually stays the same; however severe fluid loss can increase it, leading to an increase
in resistance. This is not the major determinant however. The force of contraction does not
determine resistance to flow.
Clinical manifestations of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower leg include:
a. pain and edema in the affected limb
b. muscle paralysis
c. reduced pulse in foot
d. skin pallor in the area of thrombosis --------- Correct Answer ------------ A
Which of the following patients should be monitored for superior vena cava syndrome? ---------
Correct Answer ------------ a 56-year-old woman with bronchogenic (lung) cancer
Tumors in the mediastinum can compress the superior vena cava, resulting in obstruction of
venous return to the heart. This is a serious complication of cancers involving solid tumors in the
thorax.
Individuals with Raynaud disease experience vasospasm in the small arteries of the fingers under
which of the following conditions? --------- Correct Answer ------------ Cold exposure
Individuals with Raynaud disease experience vasospasm in the small arteries of the fingers
during cold exposure or emotional stress.
Standing for long periods of time causes blood to pool in superficial veins. The result is the
development of: --------- Correct Answer ------------ Varicose veins
Varicose veins are distended, tortuous, and palpable vessels that are caused by blood pooling in
the legs.
The most common cause of coronary artery disease is:
a. myocarditis
b. hypoglycemia
c. atherosclerosis
d. vasospasm --------- Correct Answer ------------ C
atherosclerosis results in decreased blood flow to the --------- Correct Answer ------------
myocardium
Symptoms of stable angina include all of the following except:
a. severe substernal pain that lasts more than few hours
b. discomfort that radiates to the left side of neck or jaw
c. dizziness
d. shortness of breath
e. chest tightness or discomfort that goes away with rest --------- Correct Answer ------------ A
Prinzmetal angina is caused by:
, a. blood clots in the coronary artery
b. hypoxemia from respiratory disease
c. vasospasm
d. deep vein thromobsis --------- Correct Answer ------------ c
Which of the following chronic diseases places an individual at high risk for silent myocardial
ischemia caused by dysfunction of the autonomic nerves carrying sensory information to the
brain?
a. alzheimers disease
b. diabetes mellitus
c. hypertension
d. emphysema --------- Correct Answer ------------ B.
Which of the following events initiates the process of atherosclerosis?
a. endothelial injury and release of cytokines
b. oxidation of LDL in the vessel wall
c. thrombosis in the vessel lumen
d. formation of the fatty streak in the tunica media --------- Correct Answer ------------ A
The most common consequence of atherosclerosis is: --------- Correct Answer ------------
Obstruction of the blood vessel lumen ; reduce the size of the blood vessel lumen increase
resistance & cause thrombus
Factors associated with endothelial injury in atherosclerosis include all of the following except:
a. autoimmunity
b. anemia
c. bacterial infection
d. smoking --------- Correct Answer ------------ B
Which of the following white blood cells play a role in the development of the fatty streak in
atherosclerosis?
a. mast cells
b. neutrophils
c. macrophages
d. lymphocytes --------- Correct Answer ------------ C
Which of the following forms of dyslipidemia is associated with the development of the fatty
streak in atherosclerosis?
a. High LDL
b. Low LDL
All Questions from Actual Exam and 100%
Correct Answers
The pathophysiology of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) can be described through three
processes, known as Virchow's triad. Which of the following is not a component of Virchow's
Triad?
a. venous stasis
b. LDL accumulation
c. hypercoagulable state
d. endothelial injury --------- Correct Answer ------------ B
1. A patient had a motor vehicle crash and suffered critical injuries to the brainstem. What
physiological responses would the healthcare professional expect to see?
a. Prolonged QRS segment
b. Shortened PR interval
c. Pulse and blood pressure changes
d. Fluid overload ------------- Correct Answer ----------- ANS: C
The major cardiovascular control center is in the brainstem in the medulla with secondary areas
in the hypothalamus, the cerebral cortex, the thalamus, and the complex networks of exciting or
inhibiting interneurons (connecting neurons) throughout the brain. The brainstem specifically
controls blood pressure and pulse, so a severe injury to this area would manifest with changes in
blood pressure and pulse. Changes on the ECG and fluid overload would not occur due to this
injury.
1. What is an expected change in the cardiovascular system that occurs with aging?
a. Arterial stiffening
b. Decreased left ventricular wall tension
c. Decreased aortic wall thickness
d. Arteriosclerosis ------------- Correct Answer ----------- ANS: A
Arterial stiffening occurs with aging even in the absence of clinical hypertension. Aging is not
responsible for the other conditions.
1. What is the major determinant of the resistance that blood encounters as it flows through the
systemic circulation?
a. Volume of blood in the systemic circulation
b. Muscle layer of the metarterioles
c. Muscle layer of the arterioles
d. Force of ventricular contraction ------------- Correct Answer ----------- ANS: C
The muscle layer of the arterioles constricts or dilates depending on the stimulation it receives.
The change in the diameter of the vessels determines the resistance to blood flow. Blood
,viscosity usually stays the same; however severe fluid loss can increase it, leading to an increase
in resistance. This is not the major determinant however. The force of contraction does not
determine resistance to flow.
Clinical manifestations of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower leg include:
a. pain and edema in the affected limb
b. muscle paralysis
c. reduced pulse in foot
d. skin pallor in the area of thrombosis --------- Correct Answer ------------ A
Which of the following patients should be monitored for superior vena cava syndrome? ---------
Correct Answer ------------ a 56-year-old woman with bronchogenic (lung) cancer
Tumors in the mediastinum can compress the superior vena cava, resulting in obstruction of
venous return to the heart. This is a serious complication of cancers involving solid tumors in the
thorax.
Individuals with Raynaud disease experience vasospasm in the small arteries of the fingers under
which of the following conditions? --------- Correct Answer ------------ Cold exposure
Individuals with Raynaud disease experience vasospasm in the small arteries of the fingers
during cold exposure or emotional stress.
Standing for long periods of time causes blood to pool in superficial veins. The result is the
development of: --------- Correct Answer ------------ Varicose veins
Varicose veins are distended, tortuous, and palpable vessels that are caused by blood pooling in
the legs.
The most common cause of coronary artery disease is:
a. myocarditis
b. hypoglycemia
c. atherosclerosis
d. vasospasm --------- Correct Answer ------------ C
atherosclerosis results in decreased blood flow to the --------- Correct Answer ------------
myocardium
Symptoms of stable angina include all of the following except:
a. severe substernal pain that lasts more than few hours
b. discomfort that radiates to the left side of neck or jaw
c. dizziness
d. shortness of breath
e. chest tightness or discomfort that goes away with rest --------- Correct Answer ------------ A
Prinzmetal angina is caused by:
, a. blood clots in the coronary artery
b. hypoxemia from respiratory disease
c. vasospasm
d. deep vein thromobsis --------- Correct Answer ------------ c
Which of the following chronic diseases places an individual at high risk for silent myocardial
ischemia caused by dysfunction of the autonomic nerves carrying sensory information to the
brain?
a. alzheimers disease
b. diabetes mellitus
c. hypertension
d. emphysema --------- Correct Answer ------------ B.
Which of the following events initiates the process of atherosclerosis?
a. endothelial injury and release of cytokines
b. oxidation of LDL in the vessel wall
c. thrombosis in the vessel lumen
d. formation of the fatty streak in the tunica media --------- Correct Answer ------------ A
The most common consequence of atherosclerosis is: --------- Correct Answer ------------
Obstruction of the blood vessel lumen ; reduce the size of the blood vessel lumen increase
resistance & cause thrombus
Factors associated with endothelial injury in atherosclerosis include all of the following except:
a. autoimmunity
b. anemia
c. bacterial infection
d. smoking --------- Correct Answer ------------ B
Which of the following white blood cells play a role in the development of the fatty streak in
atherosclerosis?
a. mast cells
b. neutrophils
c. macrophages
d. lymphocytes --------- Correct Answer ------------ C
Which of the following forms of dyslipidemia is associated with the development of the fatty
streak in atherosclerosis?
a. High LDL
b. Low LDL
