PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 3 EXAM FULL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS VIEW
AHEAD EXAM 2026.
⫸ The normal delay in conduction through the AV node is essential
for:
1) preventing an excessively rapid heart rate.
2) limiting the time for a myocardial contraction.
3) allowing the ventricles to contract before the atria.
4) completing ventricular filling. Answer: 4) completing ventricular
filling.
⫸ The cardiac reserve is:
1) afterload.
2) the difference between the apical and radial pulses.
3) the ability of the heart to increase cardiac output when needed.
4) the extra blood remaining in the heart after it contracts. Answer: 3)
the ability of the heart to increase cardiac output when needed.
⫸ The first arteries to branch off the aorta are the:
1) common carotid arteries.
2) pulmonary arteries.
3) coronary arteries.
4) subclavian arteries. Answer: 3) coronary arteries.
,R and L
⫸ Cardiac output refers to:
1) the amount of blood passing through either of the atria.
2) the volume of blood ejected by a ventricle in one minute.
3) the volume of blood ejected by each ventricle in a single
contraction.
4) the total number of heartbeats in one minute. Answer: 2) the
volume of blood ejected by a ventricle in one minute.
CO = /1min
SV = /contraction
⫸ A partial obstruction in a coronary artery will likely cause:
1) pulmonary embolus.
2) hypertension.
3) angina attacks.
4) myocardial infarction. Answer: 3) angina attacks.
partial = angina, complete = MI
⫸ Calcium-channel blocking drugs are effective in:
1) reducing the risk of blood clotting.
,2) decreasing the attraction of cholesterol into lipid plaques.
3) reducing cardiac and smooth muscle contractions.
4) decreasing all types of cardiac arrhythmias. Answer: 3) reducing
cardiac and smooth muscle contractions.
⫸ The term cardiac arrest refers to which of the following?
1) Condition where cardiac output is less than the demand
2) A decreased circulating blood volume
3) Missing a ventricular contraction
4) The cessation of all cardiac function Answer: 4) The cessation of
all cardiac function
⫸ Which of the following is most likely to cause left-sided
congestive heart failure?
1) Incompetent tricuspid heart valve
2) Chronic pulmonary disease
3) Infarction in the right atrium
4) Uncontrolled essential hypertension Answer: 4) Uncontrolled
essential hypertension
HTN = high systemic BP, so high aortic pressure causes LVH, causing
LHF
⫸ In an infant, the initial indication of congestive heart failure is
often:
, 1) distended neck veins.
2) feeding problems.
3) low-grade fever and lethargy.
4) frequent vomiting. Answer: 2) feeding problems.
⫸ A sign of aortic stenosis is:
1) increased cardiac output.
2) congestion in the liver, spleen, and legs.
3) flushed face and headache.
4) a heart murmur. Answer: 4) a heart murmur.
MS, MR, AS, AI = the big murmurs
Narrowing of aorta
⫸ Unoxygenated blood enters the systemic circulation in children
with tetralogy of Fallot because:
1) the aorta and pulmonary artery have exchanged positions.
2) pulmonary stenosis changes the ventricular pressures.
3) the left ventricular wall has hypertrophied.
4) the septal defect allows exchange of blood between the atria.
Answer: 2) pulmonary stenosis changes the ventricular pressures.
TOF is the most common cyanotic VSD
4 signs - VSD, RVH, overriding aorta, pulmonary stenosis
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS VIEW
AHEAD EXAM 2026.
⫸ The normal delay in conduction through the AV node is essential
for:
1) preventing an excessively rapid heart rate.
2) limiting the time for a myocardial contraction.
3) allowing the ventricles to contract before the atria.
4) completing ventricular filling. Answer: 4) completing ventricular
filling.
⫸ The cardiac reserve is:
1) afterload.
2) the difference between the apical and radial pulses.
3) the ability of the heart to increase cardiac output when needed.
4) the extra blood remaining in the heart after it contracts. Answer: 3)
the ability of the heart to increase cardiac output when needed.
⫸ The first arteries to branch off the aorta are the:
1) common carotid arteries.
2) pulmonary arteries.
3) coronary arteries.
4) subclavian arteries. Answer: 3) coronary arteries.
,R and L
⫸ Cardiac output refers to:
1) the amount of blood passing through either of the atria.
2) the volume of blood ejected by a ventricle in one minute.
3) the volume of blood ejected by each ventricle in a single
contraction.
4) the total number of heartbeats in one minute. Answer: 2) the
volume of blood ejected by a ventricle in one minute.
CO = /1min
SV = /contraction
⫸ A partial obstruction in a coronary artery will likely cause:
1) pulmonary embolus.
2) hypertension.
3) angina attacks.
4) myocardial infarction. Answer: 3) angina attacks.
partial = angina, complete = MI
⫸ Calcium-channel blocking drugs are effective in:
1) reducing the risk of blood clotting.
,2) decreasing the attraction of cholesterol into lipid plaques.
3) reducing cardiac and smooth muscle contractions.
4) decreasing all types of cardiac arrhythmias. Answer: 3) reducing
cardiac and smooth muscle contractions.
⫸ The term cardiac arrest refers to which of the following?
1) Condition where cardiac output is less than the demand
2) A decreased circulating blood volume
3) Missing a ventricular contraction
4) The cessation of all cardiac function Answer: 4) The cessation of
all cardiac function
⫸ Which of the following is most likely to cause left-sided
congestive heart failure?
1) Incompetent tricuspid heart valve
2) Chronic pulmonary disease
3) Infarction in the right atrium
4) Uncontrolled essential hypertension Answer: 4) Uncontrolled
essential hypertension
HTN = high systemic BP, so high aortic pressure causes LVH, causing
LHF
⫸ In an infant, the initial indication of congestive heart failure is
often:
, 1) distended neck veins.
2) feeding problems.
3) low-grade fever and lethargy.
4) frequent vomiting. Answer: 2) feeding problems.
⫸ A sign of aortic stenosis is:
1) increased cardiac output.
2) congestion in the liver, spleen, and legs.
3) flushed face and headache.
4) a heart murmur. Answer: 4) a heart murmur.
MS, MR, AS, AI = the big murmurs
Narrowing of aorta
⫸ Unoxygenated blood enters the systemic circulation in children
with tetralogy of Fallot because:
1) the aorta and pulmonary artery have exchanged positions.
2) pulmonary stenosis changes the ventricular pressures.
3) the left ventricular wall has hypertrophied.
4) the septal defect allows exchange of blood between the atria.
Answer: 2) pulmonary stenosis changes the ventricular pressures.
TOF is the most common cyanotic VSD
4 signs - VSD, RVH, overriding aorta, pulmonary stenosis