CEN Exam Study Guide | Exam Actual Questions and Answers
Latest Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
Cardiac Output (CO)
Correct Answer: Heart rate x Stroke Volume
• Question
Things that can increase HR
Correct Answer: I. Stimulation of SNS
II. Hypotension
III. Medications w/ positive chronotropic effects
• Question
Things that can decrease HR
Correct Answer: I. Stimulation of PNS
II. Vagal nerve stimulation (Vagal down)
III. Cardiac conduction abnormalities
IV. Medication w/ negative chronotropic effects
• Question
Pulse Pressure (PP)
Correct Answer: systolic pressure - diastolic pressure
• Question
Low/Narrowing Pulse pressure
Correct Answer: Results from decreased left ventricular stroke volume, blood loss,
shock, or cardiac tamponade
• Question
High/widening pulse pressure
Correct Answer: May be transient and normal result from exercise. May also be caused
by chronic conditions (Atherosclerosis or aortic regurgitation) or acute conditions (Aortic
dissection, aneurysms, patent ductus arteriosus, endocarditis, ect.)
• Question
Chronotropes
Correct Answer: affect heart rate
,• Question
Inotropes
Correct Answer: Affect contractility or force of contraction
• Question
Dromotropes
Correct Answer: Medications that affect automaticity or rate of electrical impulse within
the heart
• Question
Stroke Volume (SV)
Correct Answer: The amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each contraction.
Positively influenced by contractility and preload.
• Question
Contractility
Correct Answer: Strength of myocardial contraction. Affected by preload, afterload,
electrolytes, myocardial oxygenation, functional myocardium, and inotropic
medications.
• Question
Preload
Correct Answer: Volume of blood resulting in pressure or stretch of ventricles during
diastole. Affected by the amount of venous return to the heart. Increased by peripheral
venous constriction, shock, admin of excess IV fluids, blood products, or renal failure.
• Question
decreased preload
Correct Answer: I. Decreased intervascular volume
II. Hemorrhage
III. Vomiting
IV. Diaphoresis
V. Third spacing
VI. Diarrhea
VII. Redistribution of blood flow
VIII. Vasodilators
, • Question
Increased preload
Correct Answer: I. Alpha-adrenergic
II. Epinephrine
III. Norepinephrine
IV. Med-High dose dopamine
• Question
Afterload
Correct Answer: Resistance to ventricular emptying during systole
• Question
Afterload increasing factors
Correct Answer: I. Vasoconstrictions or mechanical obstruction of ventricular outflow.
II. Aortic or pulmonic stenosis
III. HTN
IV. Hypothermia
Compensatory mechanisms associated with shock
• Question
Afterload decreasing factors
Correct Answer: I. Hyperthermia
II. Distributive shock
III. Vasodilators
• Question
Normal cardiac output for adults
Correct Answer: 4-8 L/min
• Question
Normal stroke volume for adults
Correct Answer: 50-100mL/beat
• Question
Normal HR for adults
Correct Answer: 60-90 bpm
Latest Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
Cardiac Output (CO)
Correct Answer: Heart rate x Stroke Volume
• Question
Things that can increase HR
Correct Answer: I. Stimulation of SNS
II. Hypotension
III. Medications w/ positive chronotropic effects
• Question
Things that can decrease HR
Correct Answer: I. Stimulation of PNS
II. Vagal nerve stimulation (Vagal down)
III. Cardiac conduction abnormalities
IV. Medication w/ negative chronotropic effects
• Question
Pulse Pressure (PP)
Correct Answer: systolic pressure - diastolic pressure
• Question
Low/Narrowing Pulse pressure
Correct Answer: Results from decreased left ventricular stroke volume, blood loss,
shock, or cardiac tamponade
• Question
High/widening pulse pressure
Correct Answer: May be transient and normal result from exercise. May also be caused
by chronic conditions (Atherosclerosis or aortic regurgitation) or acute conditions (Aortic
dissection, aneurysms, patent ductus arteriosus, endocarditis, ect.)
• Question
Chronotropes
Correct Answer: affect heart rate
,• Question
Inotropes
Correct Answer: Affect contractility or force of contraction
• Question
Dromotropes
Correct Answer: Medications that affect automaticity or rate of electrical impulse within
the heart
• Question
Stroke Volume (SV)
Correct Answer: The amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each contraction.
Positively influenced by contractility and preload.
• Question
Contractility
Correct Answer: Strength of myocardial contraction. Affected by preload, afterload,
electrolytes, myocardial oxygenation, functional myocardium, and inotropic
medications.
• Question
Preload
Correct Answer: Volume of blood resulting in pressure or stretch of ventricles during
diastole. Affected by the amount of venous return to the heart. Increased by peripheral
venous constriction, shock, admin of excess IV fluids, blood products, or renal failure.
• Question
decreased preload
Correct Answer: I. Decreased intervascular volume
II. Hemorrhage
III. Vomiting
IV. Diaphoresis
V. Third spacing
VI. Diarrhea
VII. Redistribution of blood flow
VIII. Vasodilators
, • Question
Increased preload
Correct Answer: I. Alpha-adrenergic
II. Epinephrine
III. Norepinephrine
IV. Med-High dose dopamine
• Question
Afterload
Correct Answer: Resistance to ventricular emptying during systole
• Question
Afterload increasing factors
Correct Answer: I. Vasoconstrictions or mechanical obstruction of ventricular outflow.
II. Aortic or pulmonic stenosis
III. HTN
IV. Hypothermia
Compensatory mechanisms associated with shock
• Question
Afterload decreasing factors
Correct Answer: I. Hyperthermia
II. Distributive shock
III. Vasodilators
• Question
Normal cardiac output for adults
Correct Answer: 4-8 L/min
• Question
Normal stroke volume for adults
Correct Answer: 50-100mL/beat
• Question
Normal HR for adults
Correct Answer: 60-90 bpm
