PCCN EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
GUARANTEED PASS BRAND NEW 2025
What is the function of the cardiovascular system - ANSWER - >to drive
O2 to the cell so that the cell can make ATP for energy production
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT - ANSWER - >Stroke volume x
Heart Rate
CO = HR X SV ( Preload + Afterload + Contractility)
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 )
2. CO INCREASED -> HR DECREASES ( as stroke volume decreases )
3. HR DECREASED -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
4. HR INCREASES ( > 150 ) -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
5. SV DECREASES -> CO DECREASES and HR INCREASES
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
What is the term for the end-diastolic volume stretching the ventricle? -
ANSWER - >Preload
( increased fluid = increased stroke volume )
What is the term for the pressure that the ventricle must OVERCOME in
order to eject blood into the circulatory system? - 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)
(Normal is approx. 2 - 8 mmhg)
What is a normal central venous pressure ? - ANSWER - >Approximately
2 - 8 mmhg
What is the LEFT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? - ANSWER - >PAOP
(Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure) / 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)
What are some causes of a low preload? - ANSWER - >1. Hemorrhage
2. Dehydration
GUARANTEED PASS BRAND NEW 2025
What is the function of the cardiovascular system - ANSWER - >to drive
O2 to the cell so that the cell can make ATP for energy production
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT - ANSWER - >Stroke volume x
Heart Rate
CO = HR X SV ( Preload + Afterload + Contractility)
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 )
2. CO INCREASED -> HR DECREASES ( as stroke volume decreases )
3. HR DECREASED -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
4. HR INCREASES ( > 150 ) -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
5. SV DECREASES -> CO DECREASES and HR INCREASES
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
What is the term for the end-diastolic volume stretching the ventricle? -
ANSWER - >Preload
( increased fluid = increased stroke volume )
What is the term for the pressure that the ventricle must OVERCOME in
order to eject blood into the circulatory system? - 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)
(Normal is approx. 2 - 8 mmhg)
What is a normal central venous pressure ? - ANSWER - >Approximately
2 - 8 mmhg
What is the LEFT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? - ANSWER - >PAOP
(Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure) / 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)
What are some causes of a low preload? - ANSWER - >1. Hemorrhage
2. Dehydration
