Pathophysiology Exam 3 Questions with Detailed
Verified Answers
Which of the following describes the pericardial cavity?
1) It contains sufficient fluid to provide a protective cushion for the heart.
2) It is a potential space containing a very small amount of serous fluid.
3) It is lined by the endocardium.
4) It is located between the double-walled pericardium and the epicardium. Ans: 2) It
is a potential space containing a very small amount of serous fluid.
The normal delay in conduction through the AV node is essential for:
1) preventing an excessively rapid heart rate.
2) limiting the time for a myocardial contraction.
3) allowing the ventricles to contract before the atria.
4) completing ventricular filling. Ans: 4) completing ventricular filling.
The cardiac reserve is:
1) afterload.
2) the difference between the apical and radial pulses.
3) the ability of the heart to increase cardiac output when needed.
,4) the extra blood remaining in the heart after it contracts. Ans: 3) the ability of the
heart to increase cardiac output when needed.
The first arteries to branch off the aorta are the:
1) common carotid arteries.
2) pulmonary arteries.
3) coronary arteries.
4) subclavian arteries. Ans: 3) coronary arteries.
R and L
Cardiac output refers to:
1) the amount of blood passing through either of the atria.
2) the volume of blood ejected by a ventricle in one minute.
3) the volume of blood ejected by each ventricle in a single contraction.
4) the total number of heartbeats in one minute. Ans: 2) the volume of blood ejected
by a ventricle in one minute.
CO = /1min
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,SV = /contraction
A partial obstruction in a coronary artery will likely cause:
1) pulmonary embolus.
2) hypertension.
3) angina attacks.
4) myocardial infarction. Ans: 3) angina attacks.
partial = angina, complete = MI
Calcium-channel blocking drugs are effective in:
1) reducing the risk of blood clotting.
2) decreasing the attraction of cholesterol into lipid plaques.
3) reducing cardiac and smooth muscle contractions.
4) decreasing all types of cardiac arrhythmias. Ans: 3) reducing cardiac and smooth
muscle contractions.
The term cardiac arrest refers to which of the following?
1) Condition where cardiac output is less than the demand
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, 2) A decreased circulating blood volume
3) Missing a ventricular contraction
4) The cessation of all cardiac function Ans: 4) The cessation of all cardiac function
Which of the following is most likely to cause left-sided congestive heart failure?
1) Incompetent tricuspid heart valve
2) Chronic pulmonary disease
3) Infarction in the right atrium
4) Uncontrolled essential hypertension Ans: 4) Uncontrolled essential hypertension
HTN = high systemic BP, so high aortic pressure causes LVH, causing LHF
In an infant, the initial indication of congestive heart failure is often:
1) distended neck veins.
2) feeding problems.
3) low-grade fever and lethargy.
4) frequent vomiting. Ans: 2) feeding problems.
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Verified Answers
Which of the following describes the pericardial cavity?
1) It contains sufficient fluid to provide a protective cushion for the heart.
2) It is a potential space containing a very small amount of serous fluid.
3) It is lined by the endocardium.
4) It is located between the double-walled pericardium and the epicardium. Ans: 2) It
is a potential space containing a very small amount of serous fluid.
The normal delay in conduction through the AV node is essential for:
1) preventing an excessively rapid heart rate.
2) limiting the time for a myocardial contraction.
3) allowing the ventricles to contract before the atria.
4) completing ventricular filling. Ans: 4) completing ventricular filling.
The cardiac reserve is:
1) afterload.
2) the difference between the apical and radial pulses.
3) the ability of the heart to increase cardiac output when needed.
,4) the extra blood remaining in the heart after it contracts. Ans: 3) the ability of the
heart to increase cardiac output when needed.
The first arteries to branch off the aorta are the:
1) common carotid arteries.
2) pulmonary arteries.
3) coronary arteries.
4) subclavian arteries. Ans: 3) coronary arteries.
R and L
Cardiac output refers to:
1) the amount of blood passing through either of the atria.
2) the volume of blood ejected by a ventricle in one minute.
3) the volume of blood ejected by each ventricle in a single contraction.
4) the total number of heartbeats in one minute. Ans: 2) the volume of blood ejected
by a ventricle in one minute.
CO = /1min
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
,SV = /contraction
A partial obstruction in a coronary artery will likely cause:
1) pulmonary embolus.
2) hypertension.
3) angina attacks.
4) myocardial infarction. Ans: 3) angina attacks.
partial = angina, complete = MI
Calcium-channel blocking drugs are effective in:
1) reducing the risk of blood clotting.
2) decreasing the attraction of cholesterol into lipid plaques.
3) reducing cardiac and smooth muscle contractions.
4) decreasing all types of cardiac arrhythmias. Ans: 3) reducing cardiac and smooth
muscle contractions.
The term cardiac arrest refers to which of the following?
1) Condition where cardiac output is less than the demand
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
, 2) A decreased circulating blood volume
3) Missing a ventricular contraction
4) The cessation of all cardiac function Ans: 4) The cessation of all cardiac function
Which of the following is most likely to cause left-sided congestive heart failure?
1) Incompetent tricuspid heart valve
2) Chronic pulmonary disease
3) Infarction in the right atrium
4) Uncontrolled essential hypertension Ans: 4) Uncontrolled essential hypertension
HTN = high systemic BP, so high aortic pressure causes LVH, causing LHF
In an infant, the initial indication of congestive heart failure is often:
1) distended neck veins.
2) feeding problems.
3) low-grade fever and lethargy.
4) frequent vomiting. Ans: 2) feeding problems.
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
