NUR 521 Advanced Pharmacology Exam 2
2026/2027 University of Alabama – Latest
Updated Q&A Study Guide with Rationales
SECTION 1: HEMODYNAMICS & CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–25)
Q1. Which physiological process is most directly responsible for the movement of blood
through the circulatory system?
A. Osmotic pressure generated by plasma proteins
B. A pressure gradient generated by the pumping action of the heart
C. Active transport of sodium across capillary membranes
D. Oncotic pressure generated by albumin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Blood flow through the circulatory system is driven by a pressure gradient
generated by the pumping action of the heart. Blood flows from areas of higher pressure to
areas of lower pressure. Osmotic and oncotic pressures primarily influence fluid movement
across capillary membranes, not the bulk flow of blood through vessels.
Q2. In which blood vessel type does the greatest drop in mean arterial pressure occur?
,A. Aorta
B. Arteries
C. Arterioles
D. Capillaries
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The greatest drop in mean arterial pressure occurs across the arterioles because
they are the primary site of vascular resistance. Arterioles have the highest proportion of
smooth muscle and can constrict or dilate to regulate blood flow and pressure.
Q3. What are the two primary functions of the circulatory system?
A. Deliver oxygen and remove metabolic wastes
B. Produce blood cells and store iron
C. Regulate body temperature and produce hormones
D. Synthesize plasma proteins and clot blood
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The two primary functions of the circulatory system are to deliver oxygen and
nutrients to tissues and to remove metabolic wastes (such as carbon dioxide and urea) from
tissues.
Q4. Cardiac output is calculated as:
,A. Heart rate × Stroke volume
B. Blood pressure × Peripheral resistance
C. Heart rate ÷ Stroke volume
D. Stroke volume ÷ Heart rate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cardiac output (CO) = Heart rate (HR) × Stroke volume (SV). This represents the
volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute.
Q5. Blood pressure is determined by which formula?
A. Cardiac output × Peripheral resistance
B. Heart rate × Stroke volume
C. Stroke volume ÷ Peripheral resistance
D. Cardiac output ÷ Peripheral resistance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Blood pressure (BP) = Cardiac output (CO) × Peripheral resistance (PR). This
relationship explains how changes in either cardiac output or vascular resistance affect
blood pressure.
Q6. Which type of blood vessel serves as the primary resistance vessels in the circulatory
system?
, A. Arteries
B. Arterioles
C. Capillaries
D. Veins
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Arterioles are the primary resistance vessels. They contain the highest proportion
of smooth muscle and can constrict or dilate to regulate blood flow and systemic vascular
resistance.
Q7. Which type of blood vessel serves as the primary capacitance vessels?
A. Arteries
B. Arterioles
C. Capillaries
D. Veins
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Veins are the primary capacitance vessels because they are highly compliant
and can store large volumes of blood. Approximately 60–70% of total blood volume is
contained within the venous system.
2026/2027 University of Alabama – Latest
Updated Q&A Study Guide with Rationales
SECTION 1: HEMODYNAMICS & CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–25)
Q1. Which physiological process is most directly responsible for the movement of blood
through the circulatory system?
A. Osmotic pressure generated by plasma proteins
B. A pressure gradient generated by the pumping action of the heart
C. Active transport of sodium across capillary membranes
D. Oncotic pressure generated by albumin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Blood flow through the circulatory system is driven by a pressure gradient
generated by the pumping action of the heart. Blood flows from areas of higher pressure to
areas of lower pressure. Osmotic and oncotic pressures primarily influence fluid movement
across capillary membranes, not the bulk flow of blood through vessels.
Q2. In which blood vessel type does the greatest drop in mean arterial pressure occur?
,A. Aorta
B. Arteries
C. Arterioles
D. Capillaries
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The greatest drop in mean arterial pressure occurs across the arterioles because
they are the primary site of vascular resistance. Arterioles have the highest proportion of
smooth muscle and can constrict or dilate to regulate blood flow and pressure.
Q3. What are the two primary functions of the circulatory system?
A. Deliver oxygen and remove metabolic wastes
B. Produce blood cells and store iron
C. Regulate body temperature and produce hormones
D. Synthesize plasma proteins and clot blood
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The two primary functions of the circulatory system are to deliver oxygen and
nutrients to tissues and to remove metabolic wastes (such as carbon dioxide and urea) from
tissues.
Q4. Cardiac output is calculated as:
,A. Heart rate × Stroke volume
B. Blood pressure × Peripheral resistance
C. Heart rate ÷ Stroke volume
D. Stroke volume ÷ Heart rate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cardiac output (CO) = Heart rate (HR) × Stroke volume (SV). This represents the
volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute.
Q5. Blood pressure is determined by which formula?
A. Cardiac output × Peripheral resistance
B. Heart rate × Stroke volume
C. Stroke volume ÷ Peripheral resistance
D. Cardiac output ÷ Peripheral resistance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Blood pressure (BP) = Cardiac output (CO) × Peripheral resistance (PR). This
relationship explains how changes in either cardiac output or vascular resistance affect
blood pressure.
Q6. Which type of blood vessel serves as the primary resistance vessels in the circulatory
system?
, A. Arteries
B. Arterioles
C. Capillaries
D. Veins
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Arterioles are the primary resistance vessels. They contain the highest proportion
of smooth muscle and can constrict or dilate to regulate blood flow and systemic vascular
resistance.
Q7. Which type of blood vessel serves as the primary capacitance vessels?
A. Arteries
B. Arterioles
C. Capillaries
D. Veins
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Veins are the primary capacitance vessels because they are highly compliant
and can store large volumes of blood. Approximately 60–70% of total blood volume is
contained within the venous system.
