NUR 212 Exam Questions and Answers
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Artery composition - ✔✔- Tunica interna
- Tunica media
- Tunica externa
Tunica interna - ✔✔Thin inner layer of endothelial cells and basement
membrane for protection.
- releases substances
- reacts to chemicals
- responds to blood contents
- primary site of atherosclerosis
Tunica media - ✔✔Middle layer composed o thick smooth muscle that contracts
and dilates to regulate BF.
- Controlled by ANS: sympathetic (adrenergic) parasympathetic (cholinergic)
- Alpha fibers= vasoconstriction
- Beta fibers= vasodilation
- relies on calcium for depolarization (contraction)
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©KERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
,Tunica externa - ✔✔Outer layer composed of CT to support and anchor artery to
nearby tissues
Endothelium - ✔✔Squamous epithelial cells that line inner surface of arteries
that contains a semipermeable layer. It regulates fluid, contraction/dilation,
chemotaxis, and hormone secretion
Nitric oxide - ✔✔vasodilator
Endothelin - ✔✔vasoconstrictor
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) - ✔✔stimulates angiogenesis from
existing vessels
Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) - ✔✔enhances clot formation
Prostacyclin - ✔✔inhibits platelet aggregation
von Willebrand factor - ✔✔activates clotting
Cardiac output - ✔✔volume of blood ejected in a minute (HR*SV)
Stroke volume - ✔✔volume of blood ejected per contraction (EDV-ESV)
Laplace's Law - ✔✔Intraluminal pressure= tension/ radius (bigger radius= lower
BP)
Tension= pressure*radius ( higher tension= high BP)
- Thicker walls decrease tension which is why artery walls hypertrophy
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©KERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
, Bld pressure mechanisms - ✔✔- Baroreceptors
- RAAS
- ADH
- Natriuresis
Baroreceptors - ✔✔Located in the carotid artery and aortic arch that detects
changes in BP due to stretch.
- Signal transmission= converts mechanical stretch into electrical impulses which
travel to the cardiovascular regulatory center in the brain.
Cardiovascular Regulatory Center - ✔✔Located in the lower pons and medulla
both of which are controlled by the autonomic NS
- Low BP= activates the sympathetic NS ( spinal cord and peripheral nerve)
which causes an increase in HR and contractility which increases SV and
stimulates vasoconstriction which lowers CO.
- High BP= activates the parasympathetic NS (vagus nerve) which causes a
decrease in HR and contractility which decreases SV and stimulates vasodilation
which increases CO.
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) - ✔✔Increases BP as a result of
low perfusion to the kidneys
- Renin released= an enzyme produced in the juxtaglomerular cells in nephrons
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©KERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
100% Guaranteed Success
Artery composition - ✔✔- Tunica interna
- Tunica media
- Tunica externa
Tunica interna - ✔✔Thin inner layer of endothelial cells and basement
membrane for protection.
- releases substances
- reacts to chemicals
- responds to blood contents
- primary site of atherosclerosis
Tunica media - ✔✔Middle layer composed o thick smooth muscle that contracts
and dilates to regulate BF.
- Controlled by ANS: sympathetic (adrenergic) parasympathetic (cholinergic)
- Alpha fibers= vasoconstriction
- Beta fibers= vasodilation
- relies on calcium for depolarization (contraction)
1|Page
©KERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
,Tunica externa - ✔✔Outer layer composed of CT to support and anchor artery to
nearby tissues
Endothelium - ✔✔Squamous epithelial cells that line inner surface of arteries
that contains a semipermeable layer. It regulates fluid, contraction/dilation,
chemotaxis, and hormone secretion
Nitric oxide - ✔✔vasodilator
Endothelin - ✔✔vasoconstrictor
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) - ✔✔stimulates angiogenesis from
existing vessels
Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) - ✔✔enhances clot formation
Prostacyclin - ✔✔inhibits platelet aggregation
von Willebrand factor - ✔✔activates clotting
Cardiac output - ✔✔volume of blood ejected in a minute (HR*SV)
Stroke volume - ✔✔volume of blood ejected per contraction (EDV-ESV)
Laplace's Law - ✔✔Intraluminal pressure= tension/ radius (bigger radius= lower
BP)
Tension= pressure*radius ( higher tension= high BP)
- Thicker walls decrease tension which is why artery walls hypertrophy
2|Page
©KERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
, Bld pressure mechanisms - ✔✔- Baroreceptors
- RAAS
- ADH
- Natriuresis
Baroreceptors - ✔✔Located in the carotid artery and aortic arch that detects
changes in BP due to stretch.
- Signal transmission= converts mechanical stretch into electrical impulses which
travel to the cardiovascular regulatory center in the brain.
Cardiovascular Regulatory Center - ✔✔Located in the lower pons and medulla
both of which are controlled by the autonomic NS
- Low BP= activates the sympathetic NS ( spinal cord and peripheral nerve)
which causes an increase in HR and contractility which increases SV and
stimulates vasoconstriction which lowers CO.
- High BP= activates the parasympathetic NS (vagus nerve) which causes a
decrease in HR and contractility which decreases SV and stimulates vasodilation
which increases CO.
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) - ✔✔Increases BP as a result of
low perfusion to the kidneys
- Renin released= an enzyme produced in the juxtaglomerular cells in nephrons
3|Page
©KERRYMARTIN 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
