GNRS 588 CRITICAL CARE - EXAM 1
QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | LATEST VERSION 2025/2026.
Volume of blood ejected by the heart in one minute into the systemic circuit - ANS cardiac
output
What is the best indicator of the condition of the heart's contractile or inotropic ability? -
ANS cardiac output
Normal cardiac output range: - ANS 4-8 liters per minute (4-6 at rest)
What is the metric that is calculated by dividing the cardiac output by an individual's body
surface area? - ANS cardiac index
Normal cardiac index range: - ANS 2.2 - 4.0 L/minute/m2
How is cardiac output calculated? - ANS SV x HR
Term used to describe the volume of blood ejected by the left ventricle during each systole -
ANS stroke volume
Normal stroke volume range: - ANS 60-70 ml
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,List 3 factors that affect stroke volume: - ANS 1) Preload
2) Afterload
3) Contractility
Term used to describe the volume of blood in the right and/or left ventricle at the end of
diastole: - ANS preload
The following are causes of a (decreased/elevated) preload:
1) volume overload
2) left ventricular dysfunction
3) right ventricular dysfunction
4) valvular defects (stenosis or insufficiency)
5) cardiac tamponade - ANS elevated
Describe cardiac circulation: - ANS 1) blood enters right atrium by superior and inferior vena
cava
2) through tricuspid valve to right ventricle
3) through pulmonic valve to pulmonary arteries to lungs
4) through pulmonary veins to left atrium
5) through mitral valve to left ventricle
6) through aortic valve to aorta and to the body
The following assessment findings are indicative of (right-/left-)sided elevated preload:
1) JVD
2) edema
3) hepato-jugular reflux (HJR) - ANS right
The following assessment findings are indicative of (right-/left-)sided elevated preload:
1) orthopnea
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, 2) dyspnea
3) cough
4) crackles
5) S3
6) paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) - ANS left
Which types of medications are used to reduce preload? - ANS diuretics and vasodilators
(nitrates)
How should we position patients to aid in reduction of preload? - ANS semi-fowler's or high
fowler's
The following are causes of a (decreased/elevated) preload:
1) hypovolemia
2) hemorrhage
3) third spacing
4) diuresis
5) vasodilation - ANS decreased
The following assessment findings are found with (decreased/elevated) preload:
1) tachycardia / hypotension
2) dry, cool skin
3) dry mucous membranes
4) poor skin turgor
5) alteration in LOC
6) decreased urine output / vital organ perfusion - ANS decreased
Which invasive hemodynamic monitoring device sits right at the opening of the right atrium
from the vena cava? - ANS central venous pressure catheter
3 | Page @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | LATEST VERSION 2025/2026.
Volume of blood ejected by the heart in one minute into the systemic circuit - ANS cardiac
output
What is the best indicator of the condition of the heart's contractile or inotropic ability? -
ANS cardiac output
Normal cardiac output range: - ANS 4-8 liters per minute (4-6 at rest)
What is the metric that is calculated by dividing the cardiac output by an individual's body
surface area? - ANS cardiac index
Normal cardiac index range: - ANS 2.2 - 4.0 L/minute/m2
How is cardiac output calculated? - ANS SV x HR
Term used to describe the volume of blood ejected by the left ventricle during each systole -
ANS stroke volume
Normal stroke volume range: - ANS 60-70 ml
1 | Page @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,List 3 factors that affect stroke volume: - ANS 1) Preload
2) Afterload
3) Contractility
Term used to describe the volume of blood in the right and/or left ventricle at the end of
diastole: - ANS preload
The following are causes of a (decreased/elevated) preload:
1) volume overload
2) left ventricular dysfunction
3) right ventricular dysfunction
4) valvular defects (stenosis or insufficiency)
5) cardiac tamponade - ANS elevated
Describe cardiac circulation: - ANS 1) blood enters right atrium by superior and inferior vena
cava
2) through tricuspid valve to right ventricle
3) through pulmonic valve to pulmonary arteries to lungs
4) through pulmonary veins to left atrium
5) through mitral valve to left ventricle
6) through aortic valve to aorta and to the body
The following assessment findings are indicative of (right-/left-)sided elevated preload:
1) JVD
2) edema
3) hepato-jugular reflux (HJR) - ANS right
The following assessment findings are indicative of (right-/left-)sided elevated preload:
1) orthopnea
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, 2) dyspnea
3) cough
4) crackles
5) S3
6) paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) - ANS left
Which types of medications are used to reduce preload? - ANS diuretics and vasodilators
(nitrates)
How should we position patients to aid in reduction of preload? - ANS semi-fowler's or high
fowler's
The following are causes of a (decreased/elevated) preload:
1) hypovolemia
2) hemorrhage
3) third spacing
4) diuresis
5) vasodilation - ANS decreased
The following assessment findings are found with (decreased/elevated) preload:
1) tachycardia / hypotension
2) dry, cool skin
3) dry mucous membranes
4) poor skin turgor
5) alteration in LOC
6) decreased urine output / vital organ perfusion - ANS decreased
Which invasive hemodynamic monitoring device sits right at the opening of the right atrium
from the vena cava? - ANS central venous pressure catheter
3 | Page @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
