1. Which chamber of the heart is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to
the systemic circulation?
A) Right atrium
B) Left atrium
C) Right ventricle
D) Left ventricle
Answer: D) Left ventricle
Rationale: The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation through the
aorta, ensuring oxygen reaches body tissues.
NCLEX Preference: Basic cardiovascular anatomy and physiology.
2. Which valve prevents backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left
atrium?
A) Aortic valve
B) Mitral valve
C) Pulmonary valve
D) Tricuspid valve
Answer: B) Mitral valve
Rationale: The mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve, is located between the left atrium
and left ventricle and prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium.
NCLEX Preference: Anatomy of cardiac valves.
3. Which statement is accurate regarding the function of the sinoatrial (SA)
node?
A) It initiates electrical impulses at the fastest rate.
B) It directly stimulates the ventricles to contract.
C) It only functions under parasympathetic control.
D) It is responsible for maintaining the heart’s rate during stress.
Answer: A) It initiates electrical impulses at the fastest rate.
Rationale: The SA node is the primary pacemaker of the heart, initiating electrical impulses at
the fastest rate to regulate heartbeat.
NCLEX Preference: Understanding cardiac conduction system.
,4. Which of the following best describes the role of the pulmonary arteries?
A) They carry oxygenated blood to the lungs.
B) They carry oxygenated blood to the heart.
C) They carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
D) They carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the systemic circulation.
Answer: C) They carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Rationale: Pulmonary arteries transport deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs
for oxygenation.
NCLEX Preference: Cardiovascular system’s transport function.
5. During the cardiac cycle, which event occurs during ventricular systole?
A) The ventricles relax and fill with blood.
B) The atria contract to push blood into the ventricles.
C) The ventricles contract, pushing blood into the pulmonary artery and aorta.
D) The semilunar valves remain closed to allow ventricular filling.
Answer: C) The ventricles contract, pushing blood into the pulmonary artery and aorta.
Rationale: During ventricular systole, the ventricles contract, propelling blood into the
pulmonary and systemic circulation.
NCLEX Preference: Cardiac cycle phases and events.
6. What is the primary function of red blood cells in the cardiovascular system?
A) Initiating clot formation
B) Producing antibodies
C) Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide
D) Defending against infection
Answer: C) Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide
Rationale: Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to
tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
NCLEX Preference: Components of blood and their functions.
7. In a healthy adult, where is the highest blood pressure found?
A) Left atrium
B) Right atrium
, C) Pulmonary artery
D) Aorta
Answer: D) Aorta
Rationale: The aorta experiences the highest blood pressure as it receives blood directly from
the left ventricle under high force.
NCLEX Preference: Blood pressure distribution in the cardiovascular system.
8. Which electrolyte primarily affects myocardial contraction?
A) Calcium
B) Sodium
C) Potassium
D) Magnesium
Answer: A) Calcium
Rationale: Calcium ions play a critical role in myocardial contraction by facilitating the action
of myofilaments.
NCLEX Preference: Electrolyte influence on cardiac function.
9. Which structure prevents backflow of blood from the pulmonary artery to the
right ventricle?
A) Tricuspid valve
B) Pulmonary valve
C) Mitral valve
D) Aortic valve
Answer: B) Pulmonary valve
Rationale: The pulmonary valve prevents backflow of blood from the pulmonary artery into the
right ventricle.
NCLEX Preference: Structure and function of heart valves.
10. Which term describes the volume of blood ejected by the heart with each
beat?
A) Cardiac output
B) Stroke volume
C) Heart rate
D) Ejection fraction
the systemic circulation?
A) Right atrium
B) Left atrium
C) Right ventricle
D) Left ventricle
Answer: D) Left ventricle
Rationale: The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation through the
aorta, ensuring oxygen reaches body tissues.
NCLEX Preference: Basic cardiovascular anatomy and physiology.
2. Which valve prevents backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left
atrium?
A) Aortic valve
B) Mitral valve
C) Pulmonary valve
D) Tricuspid valve
Answer: B) Mitral valve
Rationale: The mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve, is located between the left atrium
and left ventricle and prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium.
NCLEX Preference: Anatomy of cardiac valves.
3. Which statement is accurate regarding the function of the sinoatrial (SA)
node?
A) It initiates electrical impulses at the fastest rate.
B) It directly stimulates the ventricles to contract.
C) It only functions under parasympathetic control.
D) It is responsible for maintaining the heart’s rate during stress.
Answer: A) It initiates electrical impulses at the fastest rate.
Rationale: The SA node is the primary pacemaker of the heart, initiating electrical impulses at
the fastest rate to regulate heartbeat.
NCLEX Preference: Understanding cardiac conduction system.
,4. Which of the following best describes the role of the pulmonary arteries?
A) They carry oxygenated blood to the lungs.
B) They carry oxygenated blood to the heart.
C) They carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
D) They carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the systemic circulation.
Answer: C) They carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Rationale: Pulmonary arteries transport deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs
for oxygenation.
NCLEX Preference: Cardiovascular system’s transport function.
5. During the cardiac cycle, which event occurs during ventricular systole?
A) The ventricles relax and fill with blood.
B) The atria contract to push blood into the ventricles.
C) The ventricles contract, pushing blood into the pulmonary artery and aorta.
D) The semilunar valves remain closed to allow ventricular filling.
Answer: C) The ventricles contract, pushing blood into the pulmonary artery and aorta.
Rationale: During ventricular systole, the ventricles contract, propelling blood into the
pulmonary and systemic circulation.
NCLEX Preference: Cardiac cycle phases and events.
6. What is the primary function of red blood cells in the cardiovascular system?
A) Initiating clot formation
B) Producing antibodies
C) Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide
D) Defending against infection
Answer: C) Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide
Rationale: Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to
tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
NCLEX Preference: Components of blood and their functions.
7. In a healthy adult, where is the highest blood pressure found?
A) Left atrium
B) Right atrium
, C) Pulmonary artery
D) Aorta
Answer: D) Aorta
Rationale: The aorta experiences the highest blood pressure as it receives blood directly from
the left ventricle under high force.
NCLEX Preference: Blood pressure distribution in the cardiovascular system.
8. Which electrolyte primarily affects myocardial contraction?
A) Calcium
B) Sodium
C) Potassium
D) Magnesium
Answer: A) Calcium
Rationale: Calcium ions play a critical role in myocardial contraction by facilitating the action
of myofilaments.
NCLEX Preference: Electrolyte influence on cardiac function.
9. Which structure prevents backflow of blood from the pulmonary artery to the
right ventricle?
A) Tricuspid valve
B) Pulmonary valve
C) Mitral valve
D) Aortic valve
Answer: B) Pulmonary valve
Rationale: The pulmonary valve prevents backflow of blood from the pulmonary artery into the
right ventricle.
NCLEX Preference: Structure and function of heart valves.
10. Which term describes the volume of blood ejected by the heart with each
beat?
A) Cardiac output
B) Stroke volume
C) Heart rate
D) Ejection fraction
