PCCN EXAM LATEST 2025 WITH CORRECT QUESTIONS
AND ACTUAL ANSWETRS FROM A VERIFIED SOURCE
[COMPLETE SOLUTIONS] GRADED A+
What is the function of the cardiovascular system - ANSWERS-to drive O2 to
the cell so that the cell can make ATP for energy production
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT - ANSWERS-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? - ANSWERS-Cardiac Output ( approximately 4 - 8 LPM )
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each
BEAT? - ANSWERS-Stroke Volume
What is the term for the number of contractions / minute? - ANSWERS-Heart
Rate
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS TO KNOW - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-Cardiac Index
What is a normal cardiac index? - ANSWERS-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? - ANSWERS-60 to 100
mL
What is the term for the end-diastolic volume stretching the ventricle? -
ANSWERS-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? - ANSWERS-Afterload
What is the term for the inotropic state the cardiac muscle - ANSWERS-
Contractility
(how well the heart is contracted)
Preload is the function of which part of the circulatory system? - ANSWERS-
VEINS
FUNCTION OF VEINS = PRELOAD
What is the RIGHT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? - ANSWERS-CVP
(Central venous pressure)
(Normal is approx. 2 - 8 mmhg)
What is a normal central venous pressure ? - ANSWERS-Approximately 2 - 8
mmhg
What is the LEFT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? - ANSWERS-PAOP
(Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure) / PAW pulmonary artery wedge pressure
AND ACTUAL ANSWETRS FROM A VERIFIED SOURCE
[COMPLETE SOLUTIONS] GRADED A+
What is the function of the cardiovascular system - ANSWERS-to drive O2 to
the cell so that the cell can make ATP for energy production
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT - ANSWERS-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? - ANSWERS-Cardiac Output ( approximately 4 - 8 LPM )
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each
BEAT? - ANSWERS-Stroke Volume
What is the term for the number of contractions / minute? - ANSWERS-Heart
Rate
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS TO KNOW - ANSWERS-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 - ANSWERS-Cardiac Index
What is a normal cardiac index? - ANSWERS-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? - ANSWERS-60 to 100
mL
What is the term for the end-diastolic volume stretching the ventricle? -
ANSWERS-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? - ANSWERS-Afterload
What is the term for the inotropic state the cardiac muscle - ANSWERS-
Contractility
(how well the heart is contracted)
Preload is the function of which part of the circulatory system? - ANSWERS-
VEINS
FUNCTION OF VEINS = PRELOAD
What is the RIGHT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? - ANSWERS-CVP
(Central venous pressure)
(Normal is approx. 2 - 8 mmhg)
What is a normal central venous pressure ? - ANSWERS-Approximately 2 - 8
mmhg
What is the LEFT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? - ANSWERS-PAOP
(Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure) / PAW pulmonary artery wedge pressure