APEA Pathophysiology Exam Newest 2026
Questions and Correct Detailed Answers
Already Graded A+
Which one of the following is NOT an assessment finding in a patient who is
experiencing shock?
low urine output
end-organ hyperperfusion
poor mentation
hypotension - CORRECT ANSWER-end-organ hyperperfusion
A progressive disease of heart muscle that is characterized by ventricular chamber
enlargement and contractile dysfunction is:
acute coronary syndrome
cardiac tamponade
dilated cardiomyopathy
thyrotoxicosis - CORRECT ANSWER-dilated cardiomyopathy
,Patients with acute coronary syndrome may experience chest pain secondary to:
arterial vasodilation
oxygen demand
potassium depletion
elevated creatine - CORRECT ANSWER-oxygen demand
What is the purpose of activation of the sympathetic nervous system, the renin-
angiotensin-aldosterone system, and the antidiuretic system in the presence of
impaired cardiac pumping and/or filling?
promotion of venous relaxation
production of arterial vasoconstriction
decrease in venous pressure
decrease in ventricular filling - CORRECT ANSWER-Production of arterial
vasoconstriction
A common cause of diastolic heart failure is:
myocarditis
myocardial infarction
dilated cardiomyopathy
hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER-Hypertension
,long-term hypertension is a common cause of diastolic heart failure.
Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the filling of one or both ventricles is impaired
because the ventricle has become less compliant.
The heart must pump more forcefully in order to push blood into circulation
against increased vascular resistance.
Which type of angina results from coronary artery vasospasm and occurs in
atypical patterns?
Classic angina
Prinzmetal's angina
Unstable angina
Pleuritic chest pain - CORRECT ANSWER-Prinzmetal's angina
Results from coronary artery vasospasm and occurs in an atypical pattern. It is
usually at a single site. It can occur in a normal or disease vessel. Pain is usually
resolved with angina medication.
Classic (stable angina) occurs when the heart is stressed, lasts less than 5 minutes,
and usually resolves with rest.
Unstable angina is considered a medical emergency because it lasts longer than 5
minutes, does not follow the normal pain pattern, and may not resolve with rest
or angina medication. It is often associated or signals a MI.
, A patient who is in cardiogenic shock will present with:
a high cardiac index
decreased vascular resistance
increased ventricular ejection fraction
mixed venous oxygen saturation - CORRECT ANSWER-mixed venous oxygen
saturation
Patients will have a low cardiac index, elevated filling pressures of the left, right,
or both ventricles, and a decreased mixed venous oxygen saturation.
With each heart beat, blood within the left and right ventricle is ejected into the:
left atrium only
aorta and pulmonary artery
anterior descending artery
right coronary artery - CORRECT ANSWER-aorta and pulmonary artery
The primary cause of cardiogenic shock in a patient with an acute MI is:
failure of the ventricle to pump blood adequately
failure of the aortic valve to pump blood adequately
Questions and Correct Detailed Answers
Already Graded A+
Which one of the following is NOT an assessment finding in a patient who is
experiencing shock?
low urine output
end-organ hyperperfusion
poor mentation
hypotension - CORRECT ANSWER-end-organ hyperperfusion
A progressive disease of heart muscle that is characterized by ventricular chamber
enlargement and contractile dysfunction is:
acute coronary syndrome
cardiac tamponade
dilated cardiomyopathy
thyrotoxicosis - CORRECT ANSWER-dilated cardiomyopathy
,Patients with acute coronary syndrome may experience chest pain secondary to:
arterial vasodilation
oxygen demand
potassium depletion
elevated creatine - CORRECT ANSWER-oxygen demand
What is the purpose of activation of the sympathetic nervous system, the renin-
angiotensin-aldosterone system, and the antidiuretic system in the presence of
impaired cardiac pumping and/or filling?
promotion of venous relaxation
production of arterial vasoconstriction
decrease in venous pressure
decrease in ventricular filling - CORRECT ANSWER-Production of arterial
vasoconstriction
A common cause of diastolic heart failure is:
myocarditis
myocardial infarction
dilated cardiomyopathy
hypertension - CORRECT ANSWER-Hypertension
,long-term hypertension is a common cause of diastolic heart failure.
Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the filling of one or both ventricles is impaired
because the ventricle has become less compliant.
The heart must pump more forcefully in order to push blood into circulation
against increased vascular resistance.
Which type of angina results from coronary artery vasospasm and occurs in
atypical patterns?
Classic angina
Prinzmetal's angina
Unstable angina
Pleuritic chest pain - CORRECT ANSWER-Prinzmetal's angina
Results from coronary artery vasospasm and occurs in an atypical pattern. It is
usually at a single site. It can occur in a normal or disease vessel. Pain is usually
resolved with angina medication.
Classic (stable angina) occurs when the heart is stressed, lasts less than 5 minutes,
and usually resolves with rest.
Unstable angina is considered a medical emergency because it lasts longer than 5
minutes, does not follow the normal pain pattern, and may not resolve with rest
or angina medication. It is often associated or signals a MI.
, A patient who is in cardiogenic shock will present with:
a high cardiac index
decreased vascular resistance
increased ventricular ejection fraction
mixed venous oxygen saturation - CORRECT ANSWER-mixed venous oxygen
saturation
Patients will have a low cardiac index, elevated filling pressures of the left, right,
or both ventricles, and a decreased mixed venous oxygen saturation.
With each heart beat, blood within the left and right ventricle is ejected into the:
left atrium only
aorta and pulmonary artery
anterior descending artery
right coronary artery - CORRECT ANSWER-aorta and pulmonary artery
The primary cause of cardiogenic shock in a patient with an acute MI is:
failure of the ventricle to pump blood adequately
failure of the aortic valve to pump blood adequately
