II Systems Review & Practice Q&A
Section 1: Cardiovascular System & Hemodynamics (Questions 1–15)
Multiple Choice
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the Frank-Starling Law of the Heart? A)
The heart rate increases in response to sympathetic stimulation. B) The stroke volume
increases as the end-diastolic volume increases. C) The cardiac output decreases as the heart
rate increases. D) The blood pressure increases as the systemic vascular resistance
increases.
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The Frank-Starling Law states that the stroke volume (SV)
increases as the end-diastolic volume (preload) increases, due to stretching of cardiac
muscle fibers. Sympathetic stimulation (A) affects heart rate, not SV directly; cardiac output (C)
is HR × SV; blood pressure (D) is influenced by SVR but not directly by the Frank-Starling
mechanism.
Question 2: A patient with hypertension is prescribed a calcium channel blocker. Which of
the following hemodynamic effects would you expect? A) Increased cardiac output B)
Decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR) C) Increased heart rate D) Increased
contractility
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine) dilate arterioles,
reducing systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and lowering blood pressure. They do not
increase cardiac output (A), heart rate (C), or contractility (D).
Question 3: Which of the following directly increases cardiac output? A) Decreased venous
return B) Increased heart rate C) Increased afterload D) Decreased stroke volume
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Cardiac output (CO) = Heart Rate (HR) × Stroke Volume
(SV). Increasing HR directly increases CO . Decreased venous return (A) reduces preload and
SV; increased afterload (C) reduces SV; decreased SV (D) reduces CO.
, Question 4: A patient with severe dehydration would likely exhibit which of the following
hemodynamic changes? A) Increased central venous pressure (CVP) B) Decreased systemic
vascular resistance (SVR) C) Decreased cardiac output (CO) D) Increased stroke volume (SV)
Correct Answer: C Rationale: Dehydration reduces blood volume , leading to decreased
venous return, preload, and cardiac output (CO). CVP (A) would decrease; SVR (B)
increases with dehydration; SV (D) decreases due to reduced preload.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the primary function of the baroreceptor
reflex? A) Regulates blood pH by adjusting respiratory rate B) Adjusts heart rate and vascular
resistance to maintain blood pressure C) Controls blood glucose levels during stress D)
Modulates immune responses during infection
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Baroreceptors in the carotid sinus and aortic arch detect
changes in blood pressure and trigger adjustments in heart rate and vascular resistance to
maintain homeostasis. The other options (A, C, D) describe unrelated physiological processes.
True/False
Question 6: True or False: Capillary hydrostatic pressure (P ) is the primary force driving
filtration out of capillaries into the interstitial space.
Correct Answer: True Rationale: Capillary hydrostatic pressure (P ) pushes fluid out of
capillaries into the interstitial space, opposing colloid osmotic pressure (π) which pulls fluid
back in.
Question 7: True or False: Edema can result from decreased plasma oncotic pressure
(e.g., hypoalbuminemia).
Correct Answer: True Rationale: Plasma oncotic pressure (mainly from albumin) helps
retain fluid in capillaries. Hypoalbuminemia reduces this pressure, leading to fluid leakage and
edema.
Diagram-Based (Text Description)
Question 8: The diagram below represents a capillary bed with the following pressures: