N212 Pathophysiology Exam 3: Complete
Study Guide – 200 Practice Questions with
Rationales (Eastwick College) 100% correct
with verified answers | guaranteed pass |
(latest)
Section 1: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Question 1: Prevention of Emboli
What is a critical safety point when caring for a patient at risk for Deep Vein
Thrombosis (DVT)?
• A) Encourage frequent leg massage to promote circulation.
• B) Promote early ambulation and use of compression devices.
• C) Restrict fluid intake to prevent fluid overload.
• D) Keep the patient on strict bed rest.
Correct Answer: B) Promote early ambulation and use of compression devices.
Rationale: Prevention of emboli (a clot that travels through the bloodstream) is
critical for at-risk patients. Key measures include early ambulation, range-of-motion
exercises, repositioning, and using compression devices. It is crucial NOT to
massage the legs of a patient with suspected or confirmed DVT, as this can
dislodge the clot, leading to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism .
Question 2: Left-Sided Heart Failure
A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to present with which of the
following symptoms?
• A) Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention.
• B) Dyspnea, orthopnea, and pulmonary crackles.
• C) Hepatomegaly and ascites.
• D) Hypotension and bradycardia.
,Correct Answer: B) Dyspnea, orthopnea, and pulmonary crackles.
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure occurs when the left ventricle fails to pump blood
effectively, causing blood to back up into the lungs. This leads to pulmonary
congestion, resulting in symptoms like dyspnea (shortness of breath), orthopnea
(difficulty breathing when lying flat), and crackles (rales) heard in the lungs .
Question 3: Right-Sided Heart Failure
The primary pathophysiological mechanism of right-sided heart failure is:
• A) Ineffective pumping of blood to the systemic circulation.
• B) Backup of blood into the pulmonary circulation.
• C) Ineffective pumping of blood to the lungs, leading to systemic venous
backup.
• D) Decreased cardiac output from left ventricular dysfunction.
Correct Answer: C) Ineffective pumping of blood to the lungs, leading to
systemic venous backup.
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump
blood effectively to the lungs. This causes blood to back up into the systemic venous
circulation, leading to peripheral edema, jugular venous distention (JVD), and
hepatomegaly .
Question 4: Myocardial Infarction (MI) and Troponin
Which lab test is most specific for confirming a myocardial infarction (MI)?
• A) Creatine kinase (CK)
• B) Troponin
• C) Myoglobin
• D) C-reactive protein (CRP)
Correct Answer: B) Troponin
Rationale: Troponin is a protein released when heart muscle is damaged. It is the
most specific and preferred biomarker for confirming an MI. It helps confirm that an
MI occurred and estimate the extent of myocardial injury .
,Question 5: Sinoatrial (SA) Node
The primary function of the sinoatrial (SA) node is to:
• A) Delay the electrical impulse to allow ventricular filling.
• B) Initiate the electrical impulse and set the heart's rhythm.
• C) Conduct the impulse from the atria to the ventricles.
• D) Directly stimulate ventricular contraction.
Correct Answer: B) Initiate the electrical impulse and set the heart's rhythm.
Rationale: The SA node is the heart's natural pacemaker. It initiates the electrical
impulse and sets the rhythm of the heart, causing the atria to contract first. A
properly functioning SA node helps maintain normal heart rhythm and rate .
Question 6: Atrioventricular (AV) Node
The atrioventricular (AV) node is often called the "gatekeeper" of the heart because
it:
• A) Generates the fastest electrical impulses in the heart.
• B) Delays the electrical signal, allowing the ventricles time to fill with blood.
• C) Directly stimulates the ventricles to contract.
• D) Conducts impulses directly to the Purkinje fibers.
Correct Answer: B) Delays the electrical signal, allowing the ventricles time to
fill with blood.
Rationale: The AV node receives the impulse from the SA node and delays it briefly.
This delay allows the ventricles enough time to fill with blood before they contract,
ensuring coordinated and efficient pumping .
Question 7: Normal Cardiac Output
What is the normal range for cardiac output in a resting adult?
• A) 1 to 2 liters per minute
• B) 4 to 8 liters per minute
• C) 10 to 15 liters per minute
• D) 20 to 25 liters per minute
, Correct Answer: B) 4 to 8 liters per minute
Rationale: Cardiac output is the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute.
The normal range is 4 to 8 liters per minute. It is calculated by multiplying heart rate
by stroke volume .
Question 8: Ischemic Heart Disease
Which of the following is best described as an ischemic heart disease?
• A) Endocarditis
• B) Angina pectoris
• C) Mitral valve stenosis
• D) Ventricular fibrillation
Correct Answer: B) Angina pectoris
Rationale: Ischemic heart disease is characterized by a reduced blood supply to the
heart muscle. Angina pectoris is the chest pain caused by this myocardial ischemia.
The other options are heart conditions but are not primarily classified as ischemic
diseases .
Question 9: Types of Shock
Jamie is in a car accident and lost a great deal of blood, which led to shock. Which
classification of shock best describes Jamie's condition?
• A) Distributive shock
• B) Cardiogenic shock
• C) Hypovolemic shock
• D) Obstructive shock
Correct Answer: C) Hypovolemic shock
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock occurs when there is a significant loss of blood or
fluid, leading to a decrease in intravascular volume. The massive blood loss from the
accident directly reduces the volume of blood in the circulatory system, leading to
this type of shock .
Study Guide – 200 Practice Questions with
Rationales (Eastwick College) 100% correct
with verified answers | guaranteed pass |
(latest)
Section 1: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Question 1: Prevention of Emboli
What is a critical safety point when caring for a patient at risk for Deep Vein
Thrombosis (DVT)?
• A) Encourage frequent leg massage to promote circulation.
• B) Promote early ambulation and use of compression devices.
• C) Restrict fluid intake to prevent fluid overload.
• D) Keep the patient on strict bed rest.
Correct Answer: B) Promote early ambulation and use of compression devices.
Rationale: Prevention of emboli (a clot that travels through the bloodstream) is
critical for at-risk patients. Key measures include early ambulation, range-of-motion
exercises, repositioning, and using compression devices. It is crucial NOT to
massage the legs of a patient with suspected or confirmed DVT, as this can
dislodge the clot, leading to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism .
Question 2: Left-Sided Heart Failure
A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to present with which of the
following symptoms?
• A) Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention.
• B) Dyspnea, orthopnea, and pulmonary crackles.
• C) Hepatomegaly and ascites.
• D) Hypotension and bradycardia.
,Correct Answer: B) Dyspnea, orthopnea, and pulmonary crackles.
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure occurs when the left ventricle fails to pump blood
effectively, causing blood to back up into the lungs. This leads to pulmonary
congestion, resulting in symptoms like dyspnea (shortness of breath), orthopnea
(difficulty breathing when lying flat), and crackles (rales) heard in the lungs .
Question 3: Right-Sided Heart Failure
The primary pathophysiological mechanism of right-sided heart failure is:
• A) Ineffective pumping of blood to the systemic circulation.
• B) Backup of blood into the pulmonary circulation.
• C) Ineffective pumping of blood to the lungs, leading to systemic venous
backup.
• D) Decreased cardiac output from left ventricular dysfunction.
Correct Answer: C) Ineffective pumping of blood to the lungs, leading to
systemic venous backup.
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump
blood effectively to the lungs. This causes blood to back up into the systemic venous
circulation, leading to peripheral edema, jugular venous distention (JVD), and
hepatomegaly .
Question 4: Myocardial Infarction (MI) and Troponin
Which lab test is most specific for confirming a myocardial infarction (MI)?
• A) Creatine kinase (CK)
• B) Troponin
• C) Myoglobin
• D) C-reactive protein (CRP)
Correct Answer: B) Troponin
Rationale: Troponin is a protein released when heart muscle is damaged. It is the
most specific and preferred biomarker for confirming an MI. It helps confirm that an
MI occurred and estimate the extent of myocardial injury .
,Question 5: Sinoatrial (SA) Node
The primary function of the sinoatrial (SA) node is to:
• A) Delay the electrical impulse to allow ventricular filling.
• B) Initiate the electrical impulse and set the heart's rhythm.
• C) Conduct the impulse from the atria to the ventricles.
• D) Directly stimulate ventricular contraction.
Correct Answer: B) Initiate the electrical impulse and set the heart's rhythm.
Rationale: The SA node is the heart's natural pacemaker. It initiates the electrical
impulse and sets the rhythm of the heart, causing the atria to contract first. A
properly functioning SA node helps maintain normal heart rhythm and rate .
Question 6: Atrioventricular (AV) Node
The atrioventricular (AV) node is often called the "gatekeeper" of the heart because
it:
• A) Generates the fastest electrical impulses in the heart.
• B) Delays the electrical signal, allowing the ventricles time to fill with blood.
• C) Directly stimulates the ventricles to contract.
• D) Conducts impulses directly to the Purkinje fibers.
Correct Answer: B) Delays the electrical signal, allowing the ventricles time to
fill with blood.
Rationale: The AV node receives the impulse from the SA node and delays it briefly.
This delay allows the ventricles enough time to fill with blood before they contract,
ensuring coordinated and efficient pumping .
Question 7: Normal Cardiac Output
What is the normal range for cardiac output in a resting adult?
• A) 1 to 2 liters per minute
• B) 4 to 8 liters per minute
• C) 10 to 15 liters per minute
• D) 20 to 25 liters per minute
, Correct Answer: B) 4 to 8 liters per minute
Rationale: Cardiac output is the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute.
The normal range is 4 to 8 liters per minute. It is calculated by multiplying heart rate
by stroke volume .
Question 8: Ischemic Heart Disease
Which of the following is best described as an ischemic heart disease?
• A) Endocarditis
• B) Angina pectoris
• C) Mitral valve stenosis
• D) Ventricular fibrillation
Correct Answer: B) Angina pectoris
Rationale: Ischemic heart disease is characterized by a reduced blood supply to the
heart muscle. Angina pectoris is the chest pain caused by this myocardial ischemia.
The other options are heart conditions but are not primarily classified as ischemic
diseases .
Question 9: Types of Shock
Jamie is in a car accident and lost a great deal of blood, which led to shock. Which
classification of shock best describes Jamie's condition?
• A) Distributive shock
• B) Cardiogenic shock
• C) Hypovolemic shock
• D) Obstructive shock
Correct Answer: C) Hypovolemic shock
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock occurs when there is a significant loss of blood or
fluid, leading to a decrease in intravascular volume. The massive blood loss from the
accident directly reduces the volume of blood in the circulatory system, leading to
this type of shock .
