BIOL 215 Human Anatomy & Physiology
II
Final Assessment Review
Questions & Solutions
2025
©2025
,1. (MCQ)
A patient with severe aortic stenosis presents with fatigue and dyspnea
on exertion. What physiological change best explains the fatigue in this
patient?
A) Decreased preload leading to reduced stroke volume
B) Increased afterload resulting in left ventricular hypertrophy
C) Decreased contractility causing reduced ejection fraction
D) Increased heart rate compensating for low blood pressure
ANS: B
Rationale: Aortic stenosis increases afterload (resistance to ejection of
blood), causing the left ventricle to work harder and hypertrophy,
ultimately leading to fatigue due to impaired cardiac output.
2. (Fill-in-the-blank)
The ________ node is responsible for the initiation of the electrical
impulse in the heart, commonly known as the pacemaker.
ANS: sinoatrial (SA)
Rationale: The SA node initiates the heartbeat by generating electrical
impulses that spread through the heart, regulating heart rate.
3. (True/False)
The QRS complex on an electrocardiogram represents atrial
depolarization.
ANS: False
Rationale: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, while
atrial depolarization corresponds to the P wave.
4. (Multiple Response)
Which of the following physiological factors contribute to increased
©2025
, venous return? (Select all that apply)
A) Increased skeletal muscle contraction
B) Increased intrathoracic pressure
C) Presence of venous valves
D) Elevated systemic vascular resistance
E) Negative pressure in the thoracic cavity during inspiration
ANS: A, C, E
Rationale: Skeletal muscle contractions and venous valves help propel
blood back to the heart, while negative thoracic pressure during
inspiration facilitates venous return. Increased intrathoracic pressure
impedes venous return, and elevated systemic vascular resistance affects
afterload, not venous return.
Respiratory System
5. (MCQ)
A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Which of the following changes is expected in the patient's
arterial blood gases?
A) Elevated PaO2 and decreased PaCO2
B) Decreased PaO2 and increased PaCO2
C) Normal PaO2 and decreased PaCO2
D) Decreased PaO2 and decreased PaCO2
ANS: B
Rationale: COPD causes airway obstruction leading to impaired gas
exchange, resulting in hypoxemia (decreased PaO2) and hypercapnia
(increased PaCO2).
6. (Fill-in-the-blank)
The primary muscle responsible for increasing thoracic volume during
inspiration is the ________.
ANS: diaphragm
Rationale: The diaphragm contracts during inspiration, increasing
©2025
II
Final Assessment Review
Questions & Solutions
2025
©2025
,1. (MCQ)
A patient with severe aortic stenosis presents with fatigue and dyspnea
on exertion. What physiological change best explains the fatigue in this
patient?
A) Decreased preload leading to reduced stroke volume
B) Increased afterload resulting in left ventricular hypertrophy
C) Decreased contractility causing reduced ejection fraction
D) Increased heart rate compensating for low blood pressure
ANS: B
Rationale: Aortic stenosis increases afterload (resistance to ejection of
blood), causing the left ventricle to work harder and hypertrophy,
ultimately leading to fatigue due to impaired cardiac output.
2. (Fill-in-the-blank)
The ________ node is responsible for the initiation of the electrical
impulse in the heart, commonly known as the pacemaker.
ANS: sinoatrial (SA)
Rationale: The SA node initiates the heartbeat by generating electrical
impulses that spread through the heart, regulating heart rate.
3. (True/False)
The QRS complex on an electrocardiogram represents atrial
depolarization.
ANS: False
Rationale: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, while
atrial depolarization corresponds to the P wave.
4. (Multiple Response)
Which of the following physiological factors contribute to increased
©2025
, venous return? (Select all that apply)
A) Increased skeletal muscle contraction
B) Increased intrathoracic pressure
C) Presence of venous valves
D) Elevated systemic vascular resistance
E) Negative pressure in the thoracic cavity during inspiration
ANS: A, C, E
Rationale: Skeletal muscle contractions and venous valves help propel
blood back to the heart, while negative thoracic pressure during
inspiration facilitates venous return. Increased intrathoracic pressure
impedes venous return, and elevated systemic vascular resistance affects
afterload, not venous return.
Respiratory System
5. (MCQ)
A nurse is assessing a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Which of the following changes is expected in the patient's
arterial blood gases?
A) Elevated PaO2 and decreased PaCO2
B) Decreased PaO2 and increased PaCO2
C) Normal PaO2 and decreased PaCO2
D) Decreased PaO2 and decreased PaCO2
ANS: B
Rationale: COPD causes airway obstruction leading to impaired gas
exchange, resulting in hypoxemia (decreased PaO2) and hypercapnia
(increased PaCO2).
6. (Fill-in-the-blank)
The primary muscle responsible for increasing thoracic volume during
inspiration is the ________.
ANS: diaphragm
Rationale: The diaphragm contracts during inspiration, increasing
©2025
