PCCN 2026 Exam Review Questions and
Correct Answers 2026 (A+ Graded) With Rationale
D Answer
What is the function of the cardiovascular system -
O
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-to drive O2 to the cell so that the cell can
make ATP for energy production
N
O
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT - ✔✔ANSWER
T
✔✔Stroke volume x Heart Rate
C
O
CO = HR X SV ( Preload + Afterload + Contractility)
PY
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of
the ventricle each MINUTE? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Cardiac Output
( approximately 4 - 8 LPM )
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of
the ventricle each BEAT? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Stroke Volume
,What is the term for the number of contractions / minute? -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Heart Rate
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS TO KNOW - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-1.
CO DECREASED -> HR INCREASES ( to maintain adequate stroke
volume )
D
2. CO INCREASED -> HR DECREASES ( as stroke volume
O
decreases )
N
3. HR DECREASED -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
O
T
4. HR INCREASES ( > 150 ) -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
C
O
5. SV DECREASES -> CO DECREASES and HR INCREASES
PY
6. SV INCREASES -> CO INCREASES and HR DECREASES
What is the term for the volume of blood ejected from the
ventricle per minute adjusted for body size - ✔✔ANSWER
✔✔Cardiac Index
,What is a normal cardiac index? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Normal =
2.5 to 4.4 L/min/m2
**Always utilize CI values on exam (especially for bigger
patients)
What is a normal amount (mL/beat) for stroke volume? -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-60 to 100 mL
D
O
What is the term for the end-diastolic volume stretching the
ventricle? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Preload
N
O
( increased fluid = increased stroke volume )
T
C
What is the term for the pressure that the ventricle must
O
OVERCOME in order to eject blood into the circulatory system?
PY
- ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Afterload
What is the term for the inotropic state the cardiac muscle -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Contractility
(how well the heart is contracted)
Preload is the function of which part of the circulatory system?
, - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-VEINS
FUNCTION OF VEINS = PRELOAD
What is the RIGHT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-CVP (Central venous pressure)
D
O
(Normal is approx. 2 - 8 mmhg)
N
What is a normal central venous pressure ? - ✔✔ANSWER
O
✔✔Approximately 2 - 8 mmhg
T
C
What is the LEFT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? -
O
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-PAOP (Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure) /
PY
PAW pulmonary artery wedge pressure
-Swans ganns in placed wedge pressure (PA)
What are the signs and symptoms of an altered preload? -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-1. Dehydration (decreased preload)
2. Fluid overload (increased preload)
Correct Answers 2026 (A+ Graded) With Rationale
D Answer
What is the function of the cardiovascular system -
O
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-to drive O2 to the cell so that the cell can
make ATP for energy production
N
O
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT - ✔✔ANSWER
T
✔✔Stroke volume x Heart Rate
C
O
CO = HR X SV ( Preload + Afterload + Contractility)
PY
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of
the ventricle each MINUTE? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Cardiac Output
( approximately 4 - 8 LPM )
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of
the ventricle each BEAT? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Stroke Volume
,What is the term for the number of contractions / minute? -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Heart Rate
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS TO KNOW - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-1.
CO DECREASED -> HR INCREASES ( to maintain adequate stroke
volume )
D
2. CO INCREASED -> HR DECREASES ( as stroke volume
O
decreases )
N
3. HR DECREASED -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
O
T
4. HR INCREASES ( > 150 ) -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
C
O
5. SV DECREASES -> CO DECREASES and HR INCREASES
PY
6. SV INCREASES -> CO INCREASES and HR DECREASES
What is the term for the volume of blood ejected from the
ventricle per minute adjusted for body size - ✔✔ANSWER
✔✔Cardiac Index
,What is a normal cardiac index? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Normal =
2.5 to 4.4 L/min/m2
**Always utilize CI values on exam (especially for bigger
patients)
What is a normal amount (mL/beat) for stroke volume? -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-60 to 100 mL
D
O
What is the term for the end-diastolic volume stretching the
ventricle? - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Preload
N
O
( increased fluid = increased stroke volume )
T
C
What is the term for the pressure that the ventricle must
O
OVERCOME in order to eject blood into the circulatory system?
PY
- ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Afterload
What is the term for the inotropic state the cardiac muscle -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-Contractility
(how well the heart is contracted)
Preload is the function of which part of the circulatory system?
, - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-VEINS
FUNCTION OF VEINS = PRELOAD
What is the RIGHT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-CVP (Central venous pressure)
D
O
(Normal is approx. 2 - 8 mmhg)
N
What is a normal central venous pressure ? - ✔✔ANSWER
O
✔✔Approximately 2 - 8 mmhg
T
C
What is the LEFT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? -
O
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-PAOP (Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure) /
PY
PAW pulmonary artery wedge pressure
-Swans ganns in placed wedge pressure (PA)
What are the signs and symptoms of an altered preload? -
✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-1. Dehydration (decreased preload)
2. Fluid overload (increased preload)
