NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Exam
Prep | Questions and Answers | 2026 Updates
| 100% correct
1. Which statement made by a student indicates the healthcare professional needs to
describe the pericardium again?
a. The pericardium is a double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart.
b. It is made up of connective tissue and a surface layer of squamous cells.
c. The pericardium protects the heart against infection and inflammation from the
lungs and pleural space.
d. It contains pain and mechanoreceptors that can elicit reflex changes in blood
pressure and heart rate.
ANS: B
2. The pericardium is made up of a surface layer of mesothelium over a thin layer of
connective tissue. The healthcare professional would need to re-explain if the student
stated the pericardium is made up of connective tissue and a layer of squamous cells.
The other statements are accurate. Which cardiac chambers have the thinnest wall and
why?
a. The right and left atria; they are low-pressure chambers that serve as storage units
and conduits for blood.
b. The right and left atria; they are not directly involved in the preload, contractility, or
afterload of the heart.
c. The left ventricle; the mean pressure of blood coming into this ventricle is from the
lung, which has a low pressure.
d. The right ventricle; it pumps blood into the pulmonary capillaries, which have a lower
pressure compared with the systemic circulation.
ANS: A
3. The two atria have the thinnest walls because they are low-pressure chambers that
serve as storage units and conduits for blood that is emptied into the ventricles. The
ventricles have thicker walls in order to pump blood against resistance. Which chamber
of the heart endures the highest pressures?
a. Right atrium
b. Left atrium
c. Left ventricle
d. Right ventricle
ANS: C
4. Pressure is greatest in the left ventricle with a systolic range of 90 to 140 mmHg. The
right ventricle is next with a systolic range of 15 to 28 mmHg, followed by the left and
right atria, respectively. What is the process that ensures mitral and tricuspid valve
, closure after the ventricles are filled with blood?
a. Chordae tendineae relax, which allows the valves to close.
b. Increased pressure in the ventricles pushes the valves to close.
c. Trabeculae carneae contract, which pulls the valves closed.
Prep | Questions and Answers | 2026 Updates
| 100% correct
1. Which statement made by a student indicates the healthcare professional needs to
describe the pericardium again?
a. The pericardium is a double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart.
b. It is made up of connective tissue and a surface layer of squamous cells.
c. The pericardium protects the heart against infection and inflammation from the
lungs and pleural space.
d. It contains pain and mechanoreceptors that can elicit reflex changes in blood
pressure and heart rate.
ANS: B
2. The pericardium is made up of a surface layer of mesothelium over a thin layer of
connective tissue. The healthcare professional would need to re-explain if the student
stated the pericardium is made up of connective tissue and a layer of squamous cells.
The other statements are accurate. Which cardiac chambers have the thinnest wall and
why?
a. The right and left atria; they are low-pressure chambers that serve as storage units
and conduits for blood.
b. The right and left atria; they are not directly involved in the preload, contractility, or
afterload of the heart.
c. The left ventricle; the mean pressure of blood coming into this ventricle is from the
lung, which has a low pressure.
d. The right ventricle; it pumps blood into the pulmonary capillaries, which have a lower
pressure compared with the systemic circulation.
ANS: A
3. The two atria have the thinnest walls because they are low-pressure chambers that
serve as storage units and conduits for blood that is emptied into the ventricles. The
ventricles have thicker walls in order to pump blood against resistance. Which chamber
of the heart endures the highest pressures?
a. Right atrium
b. Left atrium
c. Left ventricle
d. Right ventricle
ANS: C
4. Pressure is greatest in the left ventricle with a systolic range of 90 to 140 mmHg. The
right ventricle is next with a systolic range of 15 to 28 mmHg, followed by the left and
right atria, respectively. What is the process that ensures mitral and tricuspid valve
, closure after the ventricles are filled with blood?
a. Chordae tendineae relax, which allows the valves to close.
b. Increased pressure in the ventricles pushes the valves to close.
c. Trabeculae carneae contract, which pulls the valves closed.
