WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
LATEST VERSION 2025/2026.
What is a common cause of aneurysms?
A) Diabetes
B) Atherosclerosis
C) Hypotension
D) Hyperlipidemia - ANS B) Atherosclerosis
Rationale: Atherosclerosis, smoking, HTN, genetic predisposition and connective tissue
disorders (Marfan's syndrome) and complication MI are the common causes of aneurysms.
Which location is most commonly associated with aortic aneurysms?
A) Cerebral arteries
B) Thoracic aorta
C) Abdominal aorta
D) Femoral arteries - ANS C) Abdominal aorta
Rationale: The most common aneurysm is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). AAA more
occurs mostly in the infrarenal region of the aorta, above the iliac arteries.
Which type of aneurysm is often referred to as a "berry aneurysm"?
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,A) Abdominal aortic aneurysm
B) Cerebral aneurysm
C) Thoracic aneurysm
D) Femoral aneurysm - ANS B) Cerebral aneurysm
Rationale: Cerebral aneurysms are sometimes called "berry aneurysms."
What is a common symptom of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
A) Abdominal bruit
B) Severe headache
C) Chest pain
D) Leg pain - ANS A) Abdominal bruit
Rationale: The turbulent blood flow of an abdominal aortic aneurysm causes a bruit to be
auscultated. A severe headache is a symptom of a specific type of cerebral aneurysm,
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Chest pain or angina is listed as signs or symptoms of a few
valvular heart disease. Leg pain is not listed as a sign or symptom for any
infection/inflammatory cardiac conditions or arterial disorders.
What is a common cause of aortic dissection?
A) Hypotension
B) Atherosclerosis
C) Diabetes
D) Hyperlipidemia - ANS B) Atherosclerosis
Rationale: Atherosclerosis weakens the aortic walls creating a risk for dissection. Aortic
dissection is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the inner wall of the aorta tears,
allowing blood to flow between the layers of the artery wall. The 3 etiologies of aortic
dissection listed are HTN, atherosclerosis and genetic predisposition.
What sound might a patient hear during an aortic dissection?
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,A) Clicking
B) Ripping or tearing
C) Humming
D) Whistling - ANS B) Ripping or tearing
Rationale: Aortic dissection presentation includes that patient hears "ripping" or "tearing"
sound.
Which valve is most affected by valvular heart disease?
A) Tricuspid valve and aortic valve
B) Pulmonary valve and tricuspid valve
C) Mitral valve and aortic valve
D) Aortic valve and tricuspid valve - ANS C) Mitral valve and aortic valve
No further rationale.
What is a characteristic of stenosis in valvular heart disease?
A) Loose valve
B) Narrowed valve opening
C) Valve does not seal properly
D) Blood flows backward - ANS B) Narrowed valve opening
Rationale: Narrowed valve opening, resulting in high resistance to blood flow, is a characteristic
of stenosis in valvular heart disease. Loose valve, valve does not seal properly and blood flowing
backwards are all characteristics of regurgitant (incompetent) valvular dysfunctions.
What is a common cause of acute rheumatic fever?
A) Viral infection
B) Group A streptococcal pharyngitis
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, C) Bacterial endocarditis
D) Congenital heart defect - ANS B) Group A streptococcal pharyngitis
Rationale: Acute rheumatic fever occurs in response to untreated and often undiagnosed group
A streptococcal pharyngitis.
Which of the following is NOT a known etiology of valvular disorders?
A) Atherosclerosis
B) Hypotension
C) MI
D) Congenital defects - ANS B) Hypotension
Rationale: Hypotension is not a known etiology of valvular disorders. Atherosclerosis
(interchangeable with arteriosclerosis), MI and congenital defects along with rheumatoid fever
and infective endocarditis are all etiologies listed for valvular heart disease. Increased
atherosclerosis occurs with aging. Injury or damage to the heart valve as a result of MI.
Congenital defects, such as Myxomatous Degeneration, from the book can cause a weakening
of connective tissue of the valve.
Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of valvular disorders?
A) Thrombus formation
B) Dysrhythmias
C) Stroke
D) Increased cardiac output - ANS D) Increased cardiac output
Rationale: Dysrhythmias, thrombus formation and stroke, in addition to MI and heart failure are
all pathological consequences of valvular disorders. A major concern of valvular disorder is
reduced cardiac output.
Which treatment is used to reduce blood volume overload in valvular disorders?
A) Nitrates
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