NCCAOM BIOMEDICINE BOARD EXAM COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAM 2026/2027 – FULLY UPDATED |300 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
DOMAIN 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY – CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
(Questions 1-30)
Q1. Which of the following is the correct sequence of blood flow through
the heart?
A) Right atrium → right ventricle → lungs → left atrium → left ventricle
B) Right ventricle → right atrium → lungs → left ventricle → left atrium
C) Left atrium → left ventricle → lungs → right atrium → right ventricle
D) Left ventricle → left atrium → lungs → right ventricle → right atrium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from the body,
flows to the right ventricle, and is pumped to the lungs for oxygenation.
Oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium, passes to the left ventricle,
and is pumped to the body.
Q2. The heart valve that separates the left atrium from the left ventricle
is the:
A) Tricuspid valve
B) Pulmonary valve
C) Aortic valve
D) Mitral (bicuspid) valve
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The mitral (bicuspid) valve separates the left atrium from the
left ventricle. The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the
right ventricle. The pulmonary valve separates the right ventricle from
the pulmonary artery. The aortic valve separates the left ventricle from
the aorta.
1
,Q3. Which of the following nerves innervates the deltoid muscle?
A) Ulnar nerve
B) Radial nerve
C) Median nerve
D) Axillary nerve
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The axillary nerve (C5-C6) innervates the deltoid muscle and
the teres minor. The radial nerve innervates the triceps and extensors
of the forearm. The median nerve innervates most of the flexor muscles
of the forearm. The ulnar nerve innervates the flexor carpi ulnaris and
the intrinsic hand muscles.
Q4. A 40-year-old patient with an enlarged thyroid gland is most likely
deficient in which of the following?
A) Iodine
B) Iron
C) Vitamin B12
D) Selenium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of goiter (enlarged
thyroid gland). Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
Without adequate iodine, the thyroid gland enlarges in an attempt to
capture more iodine from the blood.
Q5. Which of the following blood vessels carries oxygenated blood?
A) Pulmonary artery
B) Superior vena cava
C) Pulmonary vein
2
,D) Inferior vena cava
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to
the left atrium. The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the
right ventricle to the lungs. The superior and inferior vena cava carry
deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atrium.
Q6. The SA node is located in which chamber of the heart?
A) Right atrium
B) Right ventricle
C) Left atrium
D) Left ventricle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node is located in the right atrium near
the opening of the superior vena cava. It is the natural pacemaker of the
heart and initiates the electrical impulse that causes the heart to beat.
Q7. Which of the following is the normal resting heart rate for an adult?
A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 80-120 beats per minute
D) 100-140 beats per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal resting heart rate for an adult is 60-100 beats per
minute. Rates below 60 may be normal in well-conditioned athletes.
Rates above 100 indicate tachycardia and may require evaluation.
3
, Q8. What is the medical term for chest pain caused by reduced blood flow
to the heart?
A) Myocardial infarction
B) Angina pectoris
C) Pericarditis
D) Endocarditis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Angina pectoris is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced
blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardial ischemia). A myocardial
infarction (heart attack) occurs when blood flow to the heart is
completely blocked. Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium.
Endocarditis is infection of the heart valves.
Q9. Which of the following is a major risk factor for cardiovascular
disease?
A) Hypertension
B) Hyperlipidemia
C) Smoking
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking are all major
modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Other risk factors
include diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and family history.
Q10. A patient with a blood pressure reading of 145/95 mmHg has:
A) Normal blood pressure
B) Prehypertension
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
4
EXAM 2026/2027 – FULLY UPDATED |300 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
DOMAIN 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY – CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
(Questions 1-30)
Q1. Which of the following is the correct sequence of blood flow through
the heart?
A) Right atrium → right ventricle → lungs → left atrium → left ventricle
B) Right ventricle → right atrium → lungs → left ventricle → left atrium
C) Left atrium → left ventricle → lungs → right atrium → right ventricle
D) Left ventricle → left atrium → lungs → right ventricle → right atrium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from the body,
flows to the right ventricle, and is pumped to the lungs for oxygenation.
Oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium, passes to the left ventricle,
and is pumped to the body.
Q2. The heart valve that separates the left atrium from the left ventricle
is the:
A) Tricuspid valve
B) Pulmonary valve
C) Aortic valve
D) Mitral (bicuspid) valve
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The mitral (bicuspid) valve separates the left atrium from the
left ventricle. The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the
right ventricle. The pulmonary valve separates the right ventricle from
the pulmonary artery. The aortic valve separates the left ventricle from
the aorta.
1
,Q3. Which of the following nerves innervates the deltoid muscle?
A) Ulnar nerve
B) Radial nerve
C) Median nerve
D) Axillary nerve
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The axillary nerve (C5-C6) innervates the deltoid muscle and
the teres minor. The radial nerve innervates the triceps and extensors
of the forearm. The median nerve innervates most of the flexor muscles
of the forearm. The ulnar nerve innervates the flexor carpi ulnaris and
the intrinsic hand muscles.
Q4. A 40-year-old patient with an enlarged thyroid gland is most likely
deficient in which of the following?
A) Iodine
B) Iron
C) Vitamin B12
D) Selenium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of goiter (enlarged
thyroid gland). Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
Without adequate iodine, the thyroid gland enlarges in an attempt to
capture more iodine from the blood.
Q5. Which of the following blood vessels carries oxygenated blood?
A) Pulmonary artery
B) Superior vena cava
C) Pulmonary vein
2
,D) Inferior vena cava
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to
the left atrium. The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the
right ventricle to the lungs. The superior and inferior vena cava carry
deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atrium.
Q6. The SA node is located in which chamber of the heart?
A) Right atrium
B) Right ventricle
C) Left atrium
D) Left ventricle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node is located in the right atrium near
the opening of the superior vena cava. It is the natural pacemaker of the
heart and initiates the electrical impulse that causes the heart to beat.
Q7. Which of the following is the normal resting heart rate for an adult?
A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 80-120 beats per minute
D) 100-140 beats per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal resting heart rate for an adult is 60-100 beats per
minute. Rates below 60 may be normal in well-conditioned athletes.
Rates above 100 indicate tachycardia and may require evaluation.
3
, Q8. What is the medical term for chest pain caused by reduced blood flow
to the heart?
A) Myocardial infarction
B) Angina pectoris
C) Pericarditis
D) Endocarditis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Angina pectoris is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced
blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardial ischemia). A myocardial
infarction (heart attack) occurs when blood flow to the heart is
completely blocked. Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium.
Endocarditis is infection of the heart valves.
Q9. Which of the following is a major risk factor for cardiovascular
disease?
A) Hypertension
B) Hyperlipidemia
C) Smoking
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking are all major
modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Other risk factors
include diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and family history.
Q10. A patient with a blood pressure reading of 145/95 mmHg has:
A) Normal blood pressure
B) Prehypertension
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Stage 2 hypertension
4
