NCOI Actual Questions and Correct Answers
Q1
What does the conduction system in the heart do?
Answer: responsible for creating and transporting the electrical impulse, or action
potential. The impulse starts depolarization of the cardiac cells andsubsequently heart
contraction
Q2
Systole
Answer: Contraction of the heart, ejecting blood from the ventricles
Q3
Diastole
Answer: Relaxation of the heart filling the ventricles
Q4
Contractibility
Answer: pumping power. Can be increased by epinephrine and norepinephrine release
by the sympathetic nervous system. Increasing contractility raises the stroke volume
by increasing ventricular emptying.
Q5
Afterload
Answer: Peripheral resistance against which the left ventricle must pump. Influenced
by the size of the ventricle, walltension, and arterial blood pressure.
Q6
Murmur Grades 1-6
Answer: Very faint may only be heard by an expert not heard in all positions no thrill
Soft heard no positions no thrill Moderately loud, no thrill Louder and associated with
a palpable thrill Very loud with thrill heard it with the stethoscope partly off the chest
Loudest with thrills heard, with the stethoscope entirely off the chest. ( just above the
pericardium not touchingthe skin)
, Q7
Diagnostic studies of the cardiovascular system
Answer: Lipid ProfileC-reactive Protein Electrocardiogram Echocardiogram Nuclear
Scans Cardiac PET Cardiovascular MRI CT angiography (CTA) Calcium-scoring
screenCardiac Catheterization
Q8
Risk Factors for Primary Hypertension
Answer: i. Age ii. Alcohol iii. Tobacco use iv. Diabetes mellitus v. Elevated serum lipids
vi. Excess dietary sodium vii. Gender (more common in youngand middle age males,
more common in women over age 64) viii. Family history ix. Obesity x. Ethnicity xi.
Sedentary lifestyle xii. Socioeconomic status xiii. stress
Q9
Symptoms of severe hypertension
Answer: 1. Fatigue Dizziness Palpitations Angina 5. Dyspnea
Q10
Treatment for hypertension
Answer: Medications Weight reduction DASH diet-fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
reduced fat Low sodium diet Moderation of alcohol intake PHYSICAL ACTIVITY-exercise
is medicine Tobacco cessation Stress reduction
Q11
Atherosclerosis
Answer: Begins as fat deposits and hardens with age "hardening of arteries"
Endothelial injury and inflammation and lipid deposits lead to atherosclerosis
Q12
Risk Factor for CAD
Answer: Nonmodifiable risk factors Age Gender Ethnicity Family history Genetics Major
Modifiable risk factors Elevated serum lipids Elevated BP Tobacco use Physical
inactivity Obesity Diabetes Metabolic syndrome Substance abuse Manage modifiable
risk factors Encourage lifestyle changes Physical fitness Nutritional therapy
Lipid-lowering drug therapy (statins)
Q1
What does the conduction system in the heart do?
Answer: responsible for creating and transporting the electrical impulse, or action
potential. The impulse starts depolarization of the cardiac cells andsubsequently heart
contraction
Q2
Systole
Answer: Contraction of the heart, ejecting blood from the ventricles
Q3
Diastole
Answer: Relaxation of the heart filling the ventricles
Q4
Contractibility
Answer: pumping power. Can be increased by epinephrine and norepinephrine release
by the sympathetic nervous system. Increasing contractility raises the stroke volume
by increasing ventricular emptying.
Q5
Afterload
Answer: Peripheral resistance against which the left ventricle must pump. Influenced
by the size of the ventricle, walltension, and arterial blood pressure.
Q6
Murmur Grades 1-6
Answer: Very faint may only be heard by an expert not heard in all positions no thrill
Soft heard no positions no thrill Moderately loud, no thrill Louder and associated with
a palpable thrill Very loud with thrill heard it with the stethoscope partly off the chest
Loudest with thrills heard, with the stethoscope entirely off the chest. ( just above the
pericardium not touchingthe skin)
, Q7
Diagnostic studies of the cardiovascular system
Answer: Lipid ProfileC-reactive Protein Electrocardiogram Echocardiogram Nuclear
Scans Cardiac PET Cardiovascular MRI CT angiography (CTA) Calcium-scoring
screenCardiac Catheterization
Q8
Risk Factors for Primary Hypertension
Answer: i. Age ii. Alcohol iii. Tobacco use iv. Diabetes mellitus v. Elevated serum lipids
vi. Excess dietary sodium vii. Gender (more common in youngand middle age males,
more common in women over age 64) viii. Family history ix. Obesity x. Ethnicity xi.
Sedentary lifestyle xii. Socioeconomic status xiii. stress
Q9
Symptoms of severe hypertension
Answer: 1. Fatigue Dizziness Palpitations Angina 5. Dyspnea
Q10
Treatment for hypertension
Answer: Medications Weight reduction DASH diet-fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
reduced fat Low sodium diet Moderation of alcohol intake PHYSICAL ACTIVITY-exercise
is medicine Tobacco cessation Stress reduction
Q11
Atherosclerosis
Answer: Begins as fat deposits and hardens with age "hardening of arteries"
Endothelial injury and inflammation and lipid deposits lead to atherosclerosis
Q12
Risk Factor for CAD
Answer: Nonmodifiable risk factors Age Gender Ethnicity Family history Genetics Major
Modifiable risk factors Elevated serum lipids Elevated BP Tobacco use Physical
inactivity Obesity Diabetes Metabolic syndrome Substance abuse Manage modifiable
risk factors Encourage lifestyle changes Physical fitness Nutritional therapy
Lipid-lowering drug therapy (statins)
