NUR 339 Final Examination and
Already Passed Answers 2025-2026
Edition.
Coronary circulation - Answer two main coronary arteries, lefts and right arteries arise from
aortic arch just past aortic valve
left coronary artery splits to- - Answer -become left anterior descending- supplies LV, anterior
portion of septum, papillary muscle; circumflex- supplies lt. lateral wall of LV
right coronary artery - Answer supplies SA node (pace maker) and RV; extends to back of
heart' posterior descending artery supplies posterior septum, ventricle, and posterior papillary
muscle
control of coronary circulation - Answer coronary arteries are mostly perfuse during diastole
(rest of the body is perfused by systole)
Preload - Answer stretch (length) of LV myocardial fibers at end of diastole; mainly determined
by venous return; filling volume of heart
frank-starling law - Answer greater the stretch, the greater the force of contraction
Increased preload - Answer as preload increases, stroke volume and cardiac output increases;
increased blood volume (fluid overload), heart valve regurgitation, septal defects
Decreased preload - Answer decreased blood volume (dehydration)
Medication that decreases preload - Answer diuretics (furosemide)
Afterload - Answer resistance to ventricular ejection, pressure ventricle must overcome to
pump out blood; largely determined by BP (hypertension- increased afterload)
Afterload increased - Answer as afterload increases, stroke volume and cardiac output
decreases
, atherosclerosis - Answer major causes of CHD, narrowing of coronary arteries due to buildup
of plaque (buildup of lipids)
Plaque formation - Answer plaque partially occludes vessel and causes ischemia; lipid core
may grow, rupture, hemorrhage
Coronary heart disease (CHD) - Answer heart disease caused by impaired coronary blood flow;
main cause is atherosclerosis
Chronic ischemic heart disease - Answer stable angina, variant angina, silent MI (without
symptoms)
Acute coronary syndrome - Answer unstable angina, myocardial infarction (Non-ST segment
elevation MI; ST-segment elevation MI)
Angina - Answer chest pain or pressure associated with transient myocardial ischemia; pain
typically lasts 2-10 minutes and relieved with rest or vasodilators
stable angina - Answer short lived; occurs after exertion, exposure to cold or stress; relieved by
rest or use of NTG; caused by fixed obstruction due to atherosclerosis
Unstable angina - Answer unpredictable; may occur at rest and is usually prolonged; new
onset or exertional angina with increase in severity; caused by plaque disruption
variant angina - Answer caused by vasospasm rather than atherosclerotic plaque; pain usually
occurs at rest, during sleep, with minimal exercise or stress; pain often follows cyclic pattern
(happens at same time every day); treated with calcium channel antagonist, short and long term
nitrates
myocardial infarction (MI) - Answer loss of coronary blood flow and subsequent death of
myocardial cells and tissue; usually due to ruptured or fissured atherosclerotic plaque; layer of
platelets covers surface of ruptured plaque
ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) - Answer transmural/Q-wave, involves full thickness
of ventricular wall, most common with obstruction of single coronary artery; most MI are
transmural and involve LV; diagnosed by looking at 12 lead ECG, more notable Q waves
Already Passed Answers 2025-2026
Edition.
Coronary circulation - Answer two main coronary arteries, lefts and right arteries arise from
aortic arch just past aortic valve
left coronary artery splits to- - Answer -become left anterior descending- supplies LV, anterior
portion of septum, papillary muscle; circumflex- supplies lt. lateral wall of LV
right coronary artery - Answer supplies SA node (pace maker) and RV; extends to back of
heart' posterior descending artery supplies posterior septum, ventricle, and posterior papillary
muscle
control of coronary circulation - Answer coronary arteries are mostly perfuse during diastole
(rest of the body is perfused by systole)
Preload - Answer stretch (length) of LV myocardial fibers at end of diastole; mainly determined
by venous return; filling volume of heart
frank-starling law - Answer greater the stretch, the greater the force of contraction
Increased preload - Answer as preload increases, stroke volume and cardiac output increases;
increased blood volume (fluid overload), heart valve regurgitation, septal defects
Decreased preload - Answer decreased blood volume (dehydration)
Medication that decreases preload - Answer diuretics (furosemide)
Afterload - Answer resistance to ventricular ejection, pressure ventricle must overcome to
pump out blood; largely determined by BP (hypertension- increased afterload)
Afterload increased - Answer as afterload increases, stroke volume and cardiac output
decreases
, atherosclerosis - Answer major causes of CHD, narrowing of coronary arteries due to buildup
of plaque (buildup of lipids)
Plaque formation - Answer plaque partially occludes vessel and causes ischemia; lipid core
may grow, rupture, hemorrhage
Coronary heart disease (CHD) - Answer heart disease caused by impaired coronary blood flow;
main cause is atherosclerosis
Chronic ischemic heart disease - Answer stable angina, variant angina, silent MI (without
symptoms)
Acute coronary syndrome - Answer unstable angina, myocardial infarction (Non-ST segment
elevation MI; ST-segment elevation MI)
Angina - Answer chest pain or pressure associated with transient myocardial ischemia; pain
typically lasts 2-10 minutes and relieved with rest or vasodilators
stable angina - Answer short lived; occurs after exertion, exposure to cold or stress; relieved by
rest or use of NTG; caused by fixed obstruction due to atherosclerosis
Unstable angina - Answer unpredictable; may occur at rest and is usually prolonged; new
onset or exertional angina with increase in severity; caused by plaque disruption
variant angina - Answer caused by vasospasm rather than atherosclerotic plaque; pain usually
occurs at rest, during sleep, with minimal exercise or stress; pain often follows cyclic pattern
(happens at same time every day); treated with calcium channel antagonist, short and long term
nitrates
myocardial infarction (MI) - Answer loss of coronary blood flow and subsequent death of
myocardial cells and tissue; usually due to ruptured or fissured atherosclerotic plaque; layer of
platelets covers surface of ruptured plaque
ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) - Answer transmural/Q-wave, involves full thickness
of ventricular wall, most common with obstruction of single coronary artery; most MI are
transmural and involve LV; diagnosed by looking at 12 lead ECG, more notable Q waves
