PTA NPTE (CARDIOVASCULAR/PULMONARY)
Exam Questions and Answers Latest Update
2025 Graded A+
Atherosclerosis - ANSWER-Accumulation of fatty plaques on the inner walls of the
arteries that can restrict blood flow and cause a clot
Etiology: Unknown but may begin with damage or injury to the inner wall of the artery
from hypertension, high cholestrol, smoking or diabeties. Plaques made of cholestrol
harden narrowing arteries and impeding bloodflow.
Sxs: Angina Pectoris, Cerbreal arteries affected may cause weakness of the arms or
legs or difficulty speaking, peripheral arteries affected may cause intermittent
claudication
Tx: Lifestyle changes, medications, antihypertensiives, antilipidemics, antiplatelets
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) - ANSWER-Condition in which the veins and valves
of the LE are damage and cannot keep blood flowing towards the heart. Veins remain
filled with blood.
Etiology: Weak or damaged valves inside the veins, risk factors are females, obesity,
pregnancy, and prolonged sit/stand
Sxs: leg swelling varicose veins, aching, heaviness or cramping, skin ulcers of the leg or
ankles, redness
Tx: Compression stockings, elevation of the legs to decrease chronic swelling, varicose
veins
Cor Pulmonale - ANSWER-Pulmonary Heart disease, hypertrophy of the Right ventricle
due to altered structure or function of the lungs
Etiology: Pulmonary hypertension from chronicall increased resistance in pulmonary
circulation
Sxs: Progressive Shortness of breath especially with exertion, fatigue, palpations,
atypical chest pain, swelling ot the LE diziness, syncrope
Tx: Supplemental o2, diurectics, anticoagulations
, Coronary Artery Disease - ANSWER-Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries
due to atheromatous plaques diminishing blood flow
Etiology: Damage or injury into the inner layer of the coronary artery, once the inner wall
is damaged fatty plaques made of cholestrol accumulate at the site of injury. When a
plate ruptures, plateletes will clump at the site to try and repair the artery, the clump can
block the artery leading to a heart attack. Risk factors are High LDL cholestrol, Low HDL
cholestrol, type 2 DM, smoking, obesity, hypertension
Sxs: Angina, shorness of breath, and complete blockage resulting in a Heart attack
Tx: modification of atherclerosis risk, smoking cessation, weight loss, heart healthy diet,
regular exercise, antiplatelete agents, ace inhibitors, engiotensin 2 receptor blockers
Deep Vein Thrombosis - ANSWER-Blood clot of the deep veins usually in the LE, Clot
can break loose and travel to lungs resulting in a pulmonary emobolism
Etiology: any condition that impairs normal circulation or blood clotting, risk factors are
prolonged sitting or bed rest, pregnancy, cancer, birth control, hormone replacement,
obesity, smoking
Sxs: 50% are asymptomatic, swelling pain redness, warmth
tx: Anticoagulants and thrombolytic agents, compression stockings to reduce blood
pooling
Heart Failure (CHF) - ANSWER-Progressive condition in which the heart cannot
maintain cardiac output for the body's demands for blood and oxygen. Develops after
other conditions have damaged or weakened the heart. Ventricles weaken and dilate for
ineffective pump, can affect either side but begins with Left ventricle. Blood may back
into the liver, abdomen, LE's, or lungs.
Etiology: Coronary artery disease, Hypertension, DM, Myocaridal infraction, abdnormal
heart valves, cardiomyopathy
Sxs: Shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, swelling of legs, feet, abdomen, irregular
heartbeat, persistent cough or wheezing, weight gain from fluid retention
Tx: Anticoagulants, Antihypertensives, digitalis to increase stregnth of contraction,
surgery, Smoking cessation, reduce sodium, healthy weight, moderate exercise
Hypertension - ANSWER-Arterial hypertension is elevation of Systolic pressure
>=140mmhg diastolic >=90mmhg. Hypertension in children is equal to the 95th
percentile of blood pressure distribtion
Exam Questions and Answers Latest Update
2025 Graded A+
Atherosclerosis - ANSWER-Accumulation of fatty plaques on the inner walls of the
arteries that can restrict blood flow and cause a clot
Etiology: Unknown but may begin with damage or injury to the inner wall of the artery
from hypertension, high cholestrol, smoking or diabeties. Plaques made of cholestrol
harden narrowing arteries and impeding bloodflow.
Sxs: Angina Pectoris, Cerbreal arteries affected may cause weakness of the arms or
legs or difficulty speaking, peripheral arteries affected may cause intermittent
claudication
Tx: Lifestyle changes, medications, antihypertensiives, antilipidemics, antiplatelets
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) - ANSWER-Condition in which the veins and valves
of the LE are damage and cannot keep blood flowing towards the heart. Veins remain
filled with blood.
Etiology: Weak or damaged valves inside the veins, risk factors are females, obesity,
pregnancy, and prolonged sit/stand
Sxs: leg swelling varicose veins, aching, heaviness or cramping, skin ulcers of the leg or
ankles, redness
Tx: Compression stockings, elevation of the legs to decrease chronic swelling, varicose
veins
Cor Pulmonale - ANSWER-Pulmonary Heart disease, hypertrophy of the Right ventricle
due to altered structure or function of the lungs
Etiology: Pulmonary hypertension from chronicall increased resistance in pulmonary
circulation
Sxs: Progressive Shortness of breath especially with exertion, fatigue, palpations,
atypical chest pain, swelling ot the LE diziness, syncrope
Tx: Supplemental o2, diurectics, anticoagulations
, Coronary Artery Disease - ANSWER-Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries
due to atheromatous plaques diminishing blood flow
Etiology: Damage or injury into the inner layer of the coronary artery, once the inner wall
is damaged fatty plaques made of cholestrol accumulate at the site of injury. When a
plate ruptures, plateletes will clump at the site to try and repair the artery, the clump can
block the artery leading to a heart attack. Risk factors are High LDL cholestrol, Low HDL
cholestrol, type 2 DM, smoking, obesity, hypertension
Sxs: Angina, shorness of breath, and complete blockage resulting in a Heart attack
Tx: modification of atherclerosis risk, smoking cessation, weight loss, heart healthy diet,
regular exercise, antiplatelete agents, ace inhibitors, engiotensin 2 receptor blockers
Deep Vein Thrombosis - ANSWER-Blood clot of the deep veins usually in the LE, Clot
can break loose and travel to lungs resulting in a pulmonary emobolism
Etiology: any condition that impairs normal circulation or blood clotting, risk factors are
prolonged sitting or bed rest, pregnancy, cancer, birth control, hormone replacement,
obesity, smoking
Sxs: 50% are asymptomatic, swelling pain redness, warmth
tx: Anticoagulants and thrombolytic agents, compression stockings to reduce blood
pooling
Heart Failure (CHF) - ANSWER-Progressive condition in which the heart cannot
maintain cardiac output for the body's demands for blood and oxygen. Develops after
other conditions have damaged or weakened the heart. Ventricles weaken and dilate for
ineffective pump, can affect either side but begins with Left ventricle. Blood may back
into the liver, abdomen, LE's, or lungs.
Etiology: Coronary artery disease, Hypertension, DM, Myocaridal infraction, abdnormal
heart valves, cardiomyopathy
Sxs: Shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, swelling of legs, feet, abdomen, irregular
heartbeat, persistent cough or wheezing, weight gain from fluid retention
Tx: Anticoagulants, Antihypertensives, digitalis to increase stregnth of contraction,
surgery, Smoking cessation, reduce sodium, healthy weight, moderate exercise
Hypertension - ANSWER-Arterial hypertension is elevation of Systolic pressure
>=140mmhg diastolic >=90mmhg. Hypertension in children is equal to the 95th
percentile of blood pressure distribtion
